Ingomar Elementary students raise $587 for charities with 2nd Mystery Inflatable Teacher Race

An enormous baby recently dominated an important race at Ingomar Elementary School.

Teacher Savanna Barton, in an air-filled costume, sprinted to first place in the second annual Mystery Inflatable Teacher Race, a fundraiser held Sept. 10 by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Barton shared her unique racing experience.

“I could barely see. There was one small hole where the binky was on the inflatable, so I just had to look once and start running without seeing very much,” said Barton of Franklin Park.

As though running in an inflatable costume wasn’t enough of a challenge, the course was riddled with strategically placed pool toys. And despite the scuttle through the tricky terrain, Large Pink Baby knew she had it.

“When I was weaving through the pool noodles at the end, I heard the announcer say that I was in the lead. I was very surprised,” Barton said.

The effort was for a good cause as two charities reaped the benefits.

Barton and the second-place runner, teacher Caterina Simpson as Squirrel/Chipmunk — the jury must still be out on what critter it most looked like — shared the fundraising total of nearly $587 for charity.

With the race now in its second year, students of Ingomar Elementary brought in their loose change the week before the event for the fundraiser. The 11 participating teachers and staff members each were given an inflatable costume to race in, and the top runners were able to donate their winnings to a charity of their choice.

To split the total fairly, two-thirds went to the first-place winner’s charity and one-third went to the second-place winner’s, said Sara Ecker, a PTO member who led the organization of this event.

Barton donated her $391 in winnings to Variety – The Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh, and Simpson donated her nearly $196 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“This was our biggest turnout for the event to date, and we can confirm it by the record amount raised through PTO ice cream sales,” said Ecker of Franklin Park. “Every cent truly makes a difference.”

Barton, a special education and learning support teacher at Ingomar, chose Variety because its mission resonates with her.

“They provide essential resources like adaptive bikes, communication devices, and wheelchairs to children with disabilities and special needs. These items make a huge difference in helping kids gain independence and confidence. I believe every child deserves access to opportunities that help them thrive, and Variety’s work truly impacts lives in our community,” Barton said.

Ecker searches and purchases the costumes online over the year. She buys them and donates them to the school. The teachers are given the list and can pick which one to wear.

“At the end of the year, I resell the costumes online and use that money to buy new ones so we don’t have repeats the following year,” said Ecker, whose son, Connor, is a fifth grader at Ingomar, and daughter, 4, will be attending kindergarten there next school year.

Hashim, a local community member and owner of Dash Entertainment and Clean Juice in East Liberty, also “generously” donated DJ services. Ecker said the students really enjoyed his music, especially the “K-Pop Demon Hunters” soundtrack. He also emceed the race.

The students really get into it, according to Kelly Yatcko, a secretary at Ingomar Elementary School.

“There’s always a huge build-up of excitement for the inflatable race in the week prior. Kids love to see the racers in character when they get off the bus the week before, giving them extra time to pick their favorite. The race itself is electric with students and their families cheering on all of the crazy racers as they run and stumble through the course,” said Yatcko of Franklin Park.

Other inflatables participating in the race and their respective teachers and charity of choice were:

• Axolotl: Micki Lyle, American Heart Association

• Branchiosaurus: Amanda Zabinski, American Heart Association

• Capybara: Suzanne Smith, American Heart Association

• Chameleon: Christine Bruce, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

• July Santa: Bethany Walsh, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

• Monkey: Tricia Siliano, American Heart Association

• Pikachu: Julia Sweeney, World Central Kitchen

• Blue Baby: Lauren Barnes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

• Zebra: Larissa Kucyk, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital