A race devoted to the memory of a former teacher will hold its 10th annual rendition and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The 10th annual Raising the House 5K Run and Walk will be held at 9 a.m. April 27 in Palmerton.

In addition to the 5K, this year’s event has expanded and will host a free family-oriented block party to celebrate the community of Palmerton.

“We started planning this year’s race as soon as last year’s race ended,” said board member Tamara House. “We knew we were coming up on our 10th anniversary for the race and we wanted to do something big and really fun to honor what Raising the House has accomplished in the last 10 years.”

Held annually each year in the spring, the race is in memory of Blaine House, a Towamensing teacher who died in 2013.

“When Raising the House started, we were just taking it year by year, and we’re amazed at how much it’s grown and very proud that we’re still here and stronger than ever 10 years later,” Tamara House said. “We see a very bright future ahead for Raising the House.”

The funds for the event support the mission of Raising the House to provide financial assistance to students and families in the Palmerton Area School District, while honoring the memory of Blaine House.

“For a decade, the money we have raised from this race has helped families in the Palmerton Area School District who have fallen on difficult times,” said Kris Hoffner, Raising the House Race Committee Chair. “Blaine House was a beloved colleague of mine who prided himself in helping kids succeed.

“He would be so proud to see how we have continued his legacy. We are hoping to see many of Mr. House’s former students return for the race this year.”

Community members can learn more and register for the race by visiting www.raisingthehouse.org.

House said last year’s event had around 250 participants.

“We’re expecting an even greater turnout with this being the 10th anniversary and the special block party activities,” she said. “The T-shirts this year will honor Blaine in that we are using the colors maroon and white as a tribute to Blaine’s graduation from Lehighton High School and also Bloomsburg University.”

In-person registrations until April 12 are $25 and T-shirts are guaranteed, while in-person registrations after April 12 are $30, but T-shirts are not guaranteed.

Virtual registrations placed before April 12 are guaranteed to have the shirt delivered to their home before race day, while virtual registrations placed after April 12 are not guaranteed a T-shirt.

In addition to the 5K, this year’s event has expanded to include a free family-oriented block party to celebrate the community of Palmerton.

T-shirts must be picked up by the start of the race, otherwise they are forfeited.

House noted that they are a volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization, and that any donations made to Raising the House are tax deductible.

Raising the House provides students and their families within the Palmerton community with a variety of services, including food assistance, scholarships, and educational initiatives.

Raising the House works with the Palmerton Area School District to assist in providing backpacks to students. Over the years, the contents of these backpacks has covered a variety of items, including school supplies, sanitary products, and healthy and perishable foods. To date, Raising the House has supplied backpacks to over 100 students. Donations are suggested. For more information, contact House at tammy@raisingthehouse.org for more information.

The Raising the House Scholarship is awarded to the Palmerton senior or seniors who best exemplify the mission of Raising the House in their everyday lives.

The Raising the House Educational Advancement Grant gives teachers and staff in the Palmerton Area School District the opportunity to receive additional funding for projects, supplies, and educational initiatives that would otherwise be unobtainable with the current funding provided by the school.

?To qualify, the applicant must be an employee of the Palmerton Area School District; funds must be used to advance educational initiatives of students in the Palmerton Area School District; funds must be used in the same academic year in which they are received; and applicants must complete post-grant report on success of project.