Coddle Creek Elementary School students ran off some energy while raising more than $23,000 for their school last week.
The event was the school’s Boosterthon Fun Run last Friday. A year ago, the event raised $25,000 and Principal Brian Foster said he expects to surpass that when all pledges are in.
“It’s gone really well,” Foster said. “It’s very positive, boosts student moral and encourages them to participate.”
A nine-day fitness and leadership program that culminated with a high-energy Fun run blowout event, it is designed to help schools raise money while inspiring students to live “character-filled lives.”
This year’s theme was “EPIC Adventure,” showing some 430,000 students nationwide how to work together in teams through the adventure actions: Encourage, Play, Invite and Celebrate.
“It’s a good character education communicator,” said Foster. “Teachers will continue with these thoughts behind the lessons they teach using the themes and encouraging students to celebrate their friends.”
Leading up to the Boosterthon Fun Run event each year, students are encouraged to gather pledges for each lap they will run.
All grades, K-6, participated in the event. Foster said the goal is for each student to run 35 laps.
“Some will run more than that,” he said. “We do have a challenge with the colder weather today, but the kids are probably warmer since they’re running around.”
Throughout the program, Boosterthon provided fitness rewards such as the PlayDisc, a hand-woven Fair Trade disc made by locals in Guatemala. When a student reaches this level, a portion of the proceeds is donated to Operation Playground, an initiative that builds playgrounds for poor schools in Guatemala.
“Over the 10 days of the Boosterthon program at Coddle Creek our team had the opportunity to hand out 27 play discs,” said Zack Smith, Boosterthon school leader.
As part of the 2011-2012 program, 615 schools nationwide joined Boosterthon in Operation Playground. Through this, students will see firsthand their efforts not only benefitting their school but also giving students in other parts of the world the opportunity to “play.”
The program also offers an extensive character curriculum that combines live character presentations, a children’s book, upbeat music, and a read-along mini-movie that includes live action and animation.
“The Boosterthon guys are very good role models for the kids and bring a lot of enthusiasm,” said Foster. “They go above and beyond any fundraiser we’ve had. They’ll even come back to say ‘hello’ and the kids get so excited.”
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