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You've probably heard it sometime this week: "Snow in October? Only in Minnesota." Most likely, you might have heard a few grumbles with the comment, how would you have liked to run a 5k race in this weather?

That is precisely what several dozen members of our community did October 10. One hundred and seventy-six runners showed up to participate in the Solar Saunter, a run in support of Chisago Lakes Middle School's Project Independence.

Though colder than expected, the first batch of overnight snow enriched the beautiful scenery of Ki Chi Saga Park, the setting of the race.

Volunteers were out early, sweeping a path through the snow for the runners to follow. Unfortunately for yours truly, who came as a casual observer in tennis shoes, not all of the snow ended up plowed, and the result is what I consider to be very weak frostbite.

All numbness aside, the event was truly a spectacular occurrence. It was moving to see so many people come together in the community to support a noble cause.

The Solar Saunter is part of Project Independence, a Chisago Lakes Middle School project led by science teacher Pat Collins.

Project Independence is Collins' effort to reduce the middle school carbon footprint. The goal of Project Independence is to install 57 solar panels to the school. The photovoltaic cell system produces 12.3 kilowatts of electricity. Everyone should expect those solar panels to be around for a long time, too. Their life expectancy is about 40 years. They are made in America and will be installed by union electricians.

The solar panels do not come cheap, however. Final price estimates come in around $90,000. It is important to note, though, none of that money comes out of the school's budget. Even with the large price tag, the solar panels are well worth it. In their life span, they are expected to save $200,000 and replace one million pounds of carbon dioxide with clean air.

The first place finisher of the Solar Saunter happened to be one of the middle school's own, seventh-grader Garrett McKenzie. His prize included a Project Independence t-shirt and several energy-saving light bulbs. Several other awards were handed out, including "Most in Love" and "Last Place Finisher," showing, above all, the Solar Saunter was all in good fun, besides being an effective money-raiser for Project Independence.

Collins and his students were already making excellent progress before the Solar Saunter, raising $9,000. The run/walk itself brought in about $3,000 of funding for the project. Combined with a $22,500 grant from the State of Minnesota and a number of other grants and donations from local organizations, the dream is coming closer and closer to reality.

"All we want to do," Collins said, "is to impact the world in a positive way. We want to educate parents and students. And, maybe, we'll influence others to impact the world the same way we do."

It appears that he and his students are succeeding, with every leap and bound of the runners to every beam and ray from the sun.

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