A sea of students, supported generously by local families and businesses, raised a tidal wave of money for various school projects at the 14th annual La Verne Heights annual walkathon on Thursday morning.
Themed “Ride the Wave,” Walkathon committee members (Wendy Frankel, Bobbie Jones, John Gallegos, Sarina Bellomo, Toria Skarich and Annie Fisher), along with parents and their children, surfed the community for donations to benefit the school’s prized Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math and Art Masters programs.
They reeled in a titanic haul, topping $30,000, ab0ut $3,000 more than last year.
If the kids who did the walking knew how much they actually raised, they would probably be demanding an increase in their allowance about now. This was hardly a death march, however.
Walkers were accompanied by the Bonita Band under the direction of the incomparable Jeff Bird. They could stop at various water and snack stations along the way, and the weather (blue skies and patchy clouds) was absolutely perfect. More mascots than you’d ever see at a Lakers or Angels game also showed up for the fun.
No one pulled any muscles, either. Exercise coordinators from My Gym in La Verne helped the kids stretch and tone before they began walking.
After the walk, there was a big raffle for the kids who had earned raffle tickets based on the number of donations they helped bring in.
As for food, there was plenty. The Corner Butcher donated hot dogs that were as big some kindergartners’ arms and legs and Vons donated oranges. The smell of buttery popcorn, whose aroma hung teasingly in the air, also proved irresistible.
La Verne Heights thanks all the wonderful families and businesses for their donations. Families and businesses that donated $150 or more received a cool surfboard to take home and ride out the summer with.
Now some for some outtakes:
