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Date: 6/14/2023
BELCHERTOWN — Aaron’s Race and Family Fun Day is set to take place on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Belchertown Common.
Heather Twining lost her 15-year-old son Aaron Twinning to suicide over three years ago and helped promote the Aaron’s Day event for the first time last June.
Twinning said, “It definitely helps give me a focus and vision through this tragedy because it definitely has. Being able to help other families and hope that even if I help one family and continuing to help families go through what my husband, older son and I went through.”
Last year, the Aaron’s Race took place by the Belchertown High School organizers but decided to move it to a location that sees more foot traffic.
She said, “We are very excited to get out next event, our second annual event ready to go. We have moved it to the Belchertown Common which will be nice because we will have a lot of visual traffic gong by to stop by and see all the amazing things, we have added to our event this year.”
This year’s event will include a Pinewood Derby car race, games, a car show, food, face painting, raffles and more.
Racers are allowed to make their own car that are within the rules of the race or pay $15 for a car kit that needs to be assembled or is pre-assembled and paint it however you want.
Twinning said that there are a few Pinewood Derby cars that she has available, and people can join the race the day of if they choose so.
The three age divisions for the race are one to 11 years old, 12 to 17 years old and 18 year olds and over.
The race will be hosted in Old Town Hall at around 11 a.m. and check in for the race starts at 9 a.m.
The idea for Aaron’s Race came from one of Twinning’s friends who is a part of Boy Scouts.
He thought about starting an event to honor Aaron and put a Pinewood Derby race which is something the scouts do with their troop every year.
That is where to idea for the Pinewood Derby race came from last year and the event has added more activities this year.
Twinning said she added a lot of family events to hopefully boost attendance and make it more of a family day as well as informational.
She said, “It is just needed after [COVID-19] and everything. Living through it and watching my kids have to struggle with being home and not have a social interaction, it is just awareness and conversation that really need to happen. When I think about my son Aaron, he was 15 and there were no signs. That is the hardest part for my husband and I.”
People have reached out to Twinning to say, “thanking for doing this, It has really sparked a conversation I did not know I needed to have with my child.”
Twinning added that there has been a lot of tragedy in Belchertown over the last few years and “we really need to get education out there.”
Last year’s event raised over $9,000 for teen suicide prevention and education and Twinning hopes to add to that total this year along with being able to continue helping others.
Twinning said, “Last year’s event was amazing. It was sort of bittersweet to see everyone come together and support. Everyone was very generous with donating gift certificates or sponsorship raffle baskets. It feels amazing to be able to donate. I am trying to find some good out of the loss of my son, I have helped three kids by either talking to them or their families personally which has helped me heal.”
Twinning added that she appreciates all the surrounding towns and businesses who have supported the event as well with their donations and sponsorships.