In a month, a small school raised a large amount of money.
The 128 students in preschool through eighth grade at St. John’s Lutheran School Sauers rallied the support of family members and local businesses for its second Walk-A-Thon.
When Robert Becker of Radio 96.3 WJAA announced that $21,111 had been raised, students, staff and family members attending Friday’s event expressed their excitement.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“Do the Raiders rock?” Becker asked, receiving a unified response of “Yeah!”
Kim Sullivan, a fifth- through eighth-grade teacher at the school and one of the organizers of the event, was among those excited about the final tally.
“It’s mind-blowing. It’s mind-baffling,” she said.
That was a big jump from the $13,000 raised at last year’s inaugural Walk-A-Thon.
Principal Jon Baumgartel said that money was used to buy new student desks and equipment, while this year’s proceeds will be used to buy 40 Chromebooks, blinds for windows in classrooms and playground equipment.
The school now has an iPad cart that is available for teachers to use, but everyone has to share it.
The new Chromebooks will be a big step toward the school’s goal of being fully 1:1.
“We’re trying to keep up with the other public schools and the schools in general around us going 1:1,” Sullivan said. “We have one computer lab for the whole school. Everything is going Google, so the Chromebooks really are more user-friendly.”
Sullivan said she talked to her students about the importance of the technology.
“Going from here into high school, most of the kids (at other schools) have had the advantage of having these devices, and we have not,” she said. “So I really pushed hard myself and my kids in my classroom fifth through eighth grade to raise that money because I truly believe in it myself to prepare them for their next step in life.”
Several people who donated money were motivated by the school getting into technology, Sullivan said.
There were 16 gold sponsors ($150-plus), 11 silver sponsors ($100-plus) and nine bronze sponsors ($50-plus). Also, more than 90 students brought in $100 or more.
Kindergarten teacher Leanna Royalty, who also helped organize the event, said the goal was $15,000.
“But we really hoped for $20,000, and in the end, the businesses came through so well,” she said. “It’s awesome that the whole community — Brownstown, Seymour, everyone — supported us.”
Donning blue St. John’s Sauers Raiders T-shirts, students and staff members gathered around a handmade banner with multi-colored handprints for a group photo.
After doing some stretches, the students choosing to run headed to the start line.
A minute after they started, the walkers began their 20-minute trek in the parking lot and driveway of the school and church.
Halfway through, Becker announced that everyone could come to the shelter house to get some water.
Then when the walk and run was over, he announced the fundraising total and also the top three fundraisers, and kids cooled off with freeze pops, snacks and more water.
The top collectors were second-grader Addison Sullivan and her brother, Archer, a preschooler.
“We went to my Nana at first, and she gave us a lot of money,” Addison said. “Then we went to my Aunt Amanda, and she gave us a lot of money. Then we went to the next-door neighbors. We added a lot of people that are in my family.”
Hearing the final total raised, Addison said, “It’s really great and really good, and I liked it.”
Second place in fundraising were sixth-grader Faith Baumgartel and her sister, Ava, a third-grader.
They also got most of their money from family members.
“It’s cool because now, we can get Chromebooks and all of that stuff, and we can use those in our classrooms,” Faith said.
She had a good time at the walk.
“That was really fun because you just get to talk and dance and sing and do everything — whatever you want,” Faith said.
Third place went to first-grader Noah Lambring and his brother, Elliot, a preschooler.
Noah said he liked the candy basket they received as a prize after spending time walking and running with his classmates.
The event wrapped up with kids playing volleyball or kickball, bobbing for apples and blowing bubbles.
Earlier in the day, the 3-year-old preschoolers had a mini Walk-A-Thon.
“Just to get the kids out and active I believe is good,” Kim said.
“It just really gets the big kids to go and play with the little ones,” Royalty said.
Even though the Walk-A-Thon is over, Kim said people are still expressing an interest in donating.
“If you are unable to get your money in by the deadline, we will still accept donations,” she said.
So what’s next year’s goal? That’s to be determined.
“The sky is the limit, really,” Royalty said, smiling.
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To contribute to St. John’s Lutheran School Sauers’ Walk-A-Thon fundraiser, mail a donation to 1058 S. County Road 460E, Seymour, IN 47274 or stop by the school.
For information, call 812-523-3131.
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