(WSB video from the end of Lou’s run last year)
This year, Pathfinder K-8 teacher Lou Cutler turns 62 – and for Lou, that number carries extra meaning: It means he’ll travel 62 laps around the school playfield to raise money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s been volunteering since way back in his forties. He doesn’t do it alone – hundreds of Pathfinder students and staffers join him along the way. And they’re all gearing up for next Monday (May 20th), when Lou is scheduled to start his 62 laps around 8:45 am. You can pledge/donate now by going here – and read on to see the official announcement from Make-A-Wish:

The average birthday celebration for Lou Cutler consists of more than just a piece of cake and a few gifts. Before his big day approaches, he chooses to lace up his running shoes and work up a sweat to raise money for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, the nonprofit organization that grants wishes to local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

A wish granting volunteer for 17 years, Cutler is a physical education teacher at Pathfinder K-8 School in West Seattle and has found an ingenious way to marry his day job with his volunteer job.

Each year, in celebration of his birthday, Lou invites students, parents, colleagues and community members to join him in running laps around their school to raise money for the local chapter. Each year, Lou finds the strength to add one more lap in celebration of one more year of life. A cast of more than 500 children, parents, teachers and school personnel are set to join Lou this year.

Over the past nine years, Pathfinder has raised more than $35,000. Last year, Lou and his runners set a record by raising $10,589. This year, the run will be held on May 20 at 8:45 a.m. at Pathfinder K-8 School, located at 1901 SW Genesee.

“It’s hard to say that I look forward to the run, but I do,” said Cutler. This year, he will be running 62 laps which equates to about 10.3 miles.

“I will have the time of my life, as I will experience the true joy that comes from watching the entire Pathfinder community come together to raise money to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

We interviewed Lou two years ago for a closer look at his motivation for the annual run and his other Make-A-Wish volunteering – you can see the story here.