NAHANT – The HOOMPA Nickel 5 Mile Road Race, which took place Sept. 6, is donating $4,300 of its proceeds toward the education fund former HOOMPA Nickel Road Race Director Bobbie-Jo Blair created for her son Freddie. The Road Race was dedicated to Blair, a Nahant resident who died in September 2023.
Organizer Bob Fields said the race saw roughly 120 runners and walkers come together for the event, and there were also had 50 donors who joined the cause. The race has been a tradition for the town since its inception in 1978.
“The total amount raised was over $5,700,” Fields said. “$4,300 of those proceeds will go to Freddie Blair’s education fund.”
The remainder of the proceeds will also go toward an education-based cause. Fields added that the rest will be going to the American Legion Post No. 215’s recurring scholarship program.
“We try to do things with purposes and goals. … One pillar is children and youth. Both of these funds contribute toward our desire of fulfilling that pillar, to be able to help out with education and things like that,” Fields explained.
He continued, explaining that a lot of work goes into bringing these events to life.
“These aren’t easy to run. They take a lot of people. I appreciate all the members that helped out, but we also have incredible support from the community,” Fields said. “Veterans and non-veterans alike, we couldn’t do some of the things we do without the community members helping us out.”
Fields elaborated on that point, noting that there were four goals he set out to accomplish: building public awareness, gathering new members (both veterans and their family members), providing a family-friendly event that “encourages community spirit,” and, of course, raising funds.
“I really believe that we crushed our goals in this year’s road race dedicated to Bobbi-Jo (Blair),” Fields said.
Fields added that the American Legion Post No. 215 had its first classic car show on Aug. 23 titled “Master Chief Maurice Poulin Car Show by the Beach,” which raised another $5,000. He said $700 will be donated to Nahant Preservation Trust for upkeep on the Nahant Life Saving Station. The remainder of the proceeds will go to general fund for American legion Post No. 215.
