Heavy rain did little to deter the young runners of West Hartford, who braved the elements to participate in the “Laces for Braces” charity run at Conard High School’s track on Sunday morning.
The event, organized by local orthodontist Natalia Menjivar and sponsored by Fleet Feet, aimed to raise funds to assist with orthodontic costs for children in the community. For each lap completed, West Hartford Orthodontics donated $100 to the Smile Scholarship Fund. This fund helps cover the costs of braces for children whose state dental insurance does not provide coverage.
Menjivar, who is both an orthodontist and an avid runner, conceived the event to combine her passions for running and community service. “I noticed that many children with state dental insurance were not receiving coverage for braces, as their cases were often not considered severe enough. Demonstrating the complexity of cases to secure state benefits can be challenging,” she explained. “Our goal with this run is to establish an internal fund, the Smile Scholarship Fund, to provide scholarships for those who need braces but cannot receive state support.”
The run was also part of Menjivar’s community service project through the West Hartford Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), a 20-week program designed to empower parents to advocate for local causes. Menjivar graduated from the program in June.
Participants in the “Laces for Braces” run had 45 minutes to complete as many laps as possible, earning popsicle sticks to keep track of their progress. After the run, these sticks could be exchanged for prizes and treats.
The event was a resounding success. With 40 runners completing a total of 243 laps—equivalent to over 60 miles—the run raised $24,300 for the Smile Scholarship Fund.
In addition to the run, the event featured a raffle for children’s shoes and adult training programs from Fleet Feet, race t-shirts, medals for top finishers, and appearances by Spiderman and Elsa. Despite the rainy weather, local families showed their West Hartford spirit, donning umbrellas, raincoats, and sneakers to support the cause. Parents cheered on their children, giving high-fives and joining in the fun.