'Team Chaparral' Honored for Outstanding Goodwill in the Calabasas Classic

Members of 'Team Chaparral,' who ran in the annual Calabasas Classic on November 11, were honored Thursday morning at Chaparral Elementary for their outstanding goodwill in the community.

The team received a proclamation from the mayor's office at the special assembly. Representing the City were Councilmembers David Shapiro, Lucy Martin and Fred Gaines.

The school formed a team to participate in the Classic each year, according to Alison Watters, community outreach coordinator for the annual run. "They want to encourage community spirit and youth fitness," she said.

In addition, they chose to use the run this year as a fundraiser for Matthew Alvarez, a graduating fifth grader with leukemia.

"The school had a team of well over 250 registered participants, many of which had never participated in an organized run," Waters said.

A giant check for $2567 was presented to Alvarez and his family by Julie Talbert, the director of The Talbert Family Foundation, which organizes the event to provide support to local families suffering from catastrophic illnesses.

"So many kids came up to me at recess and lunch and told me how hard they were working to raise money for me," Alvarez said after receiving his check. "...That means a lot."