Lawrenceville School Big Red Race Raises $15K for HomeWorks Trenton

The Lawrenceville School has donated $15,000, proceeds from its 21^st annual Big Red Race, to HomeWorks Trenton, a free, community-based, after-school residential program equipping the next generation of community leaders and embracing the goal of "changing the world, one girl at a time." The 5K race was held on May 5 both on The Lawrenceville School campus (Lawrenceville, N.J.) and virtually.

The funding will be used directly for the HomeWorks Trenton 2024-25 after-school residential program. According to HomeWorks Co-Founder/Executive Director Natalie Tung, the program provides approximately 180 days of dorm living, 360 transportation trips to and from school, 360 healthy meals, 240 hours of tutoring, as well as 30 hours of counseling per scholar, plus 360 hours of programming on academics, identity-driven leadership, and field trips.

Lawrenceville School Co-Directors of College Counseling Jeff Durso-Finley and Holly Burks Becker are Big Red Race coordinators. Durso-Finley said HomeWorks Trenton was selected as the Race beneficiary because “it perfectly fits the philosophy behind the Big Red Race - to give back to the local community, help local agencies and organizations that bolster education, and support those who work to provide opportunities for those in need of that support, all of which is at the heart and soul of HomeWorks. It's a perfect match!”

Tung, a 2014 Lawrenceville graduate, said the Big Red Race was one of her favorite School events. “This makes it even more special that HomeWorks is now one of the beneficiaries of the Big Red Race,” she stated. “The HomeWorks team is very grateful to Jeff and Holly for choosing us, organizing this, and working so hard to continue this special legacy. I am also grateful to my Lawrenceville family for doing all that they have to support us at HomeWorks since its inception. From providing temporary housing, to giving us leadership and strategic advice, to partnering with us on programming – we could not be doing this without you.”

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.

Photo caption, left to right: Holly Burks Becker (Lawrenceville School Co-Director of College Counseling and Co-Director of The Lawrenceville School Big Red Race), Natalie Tung '14 (HomeWorks Trenton Co-Founder and Executive Director), and Jeff Durso-Finley (Lawrenceville School Co-Director of College Counseling and Co-Director of The Lawrenceville School Big Red Race).