For students it was a chance to enjoy the spring weather and see how many laps they could run, but for parents and teachers, Ooltewah Elementary’s first walk-a-thon meant a lot more.
“I like it that I can run around and be silly and have fun,” said Ooltewah student Hudson Hillman, who had already completed 10 laps in the first 30 minutes of the event. “I’m excited because I want to win a lot of prizes.”
Ooltewah Elementary School students run during the school’s recent walk-a-thon. Collectively the students completed 6,500 laps, which is the equivalent of 1,625 miles. Four students completed as many as 25 laps. For each lap, students were entered into a raffle for prizes.Organized as a fundraiser for the school’s Parent Teacher Association, all proceeds from the event will go toward supplementing the school’s budget and resources. Principal Thom Arnold said the funds could to go a variety of programs including funding for an art teacher, playground equipment, additional computers, funds for teachers to spend in their classrooms or professional development for teachers.
“So far we’ve raised more than $17,000, and we’re very happy with the turnout,” said event co-organizer and PTA member Deb Cooley. “We want to make the school the best it can be and help out where Hamilton County can’t.”
Cooley said some funds will go toward the fifth grade’s end-of-year trip to Dollywood.
“We want it to go to the kids that are here this year and helped raise this money,” she said. “We also want to make sure anything we spend will be on things that carry over to the new Ooltewah Elementary once it’s finished.”
To raise money, students were asked to bring in the names and addresses of friends, relatives and neighbors who might be interested in supporting the school. After those names were received, the PTA sent out support forms and waited to receive donations that have so far ranged from $2 to more than $150. During the walk-a-thon students received a raffle ticket for each lap they completed.
“It was a great fundraiser because it wasn’t just selling a product,” said Cooley. “It gave the kids an opportunity to come out here and actually do something and feel like they are really helping earn the money.”
If the students raise $20,000 by April 27, Arnold has agreed to let them duct tape him to a wall. During lunch each student will apply their tape, and then they will see if he sticks.
When asked if he is excited about this, Arnold said it’s difficult to say for sure.
“The important thing is the kids are excited about me being taped up to the wall,” he said. “When they get excited, I get excited.”
For more information or to make a donation, contact Cooley at dcooley2911@gmail.com.