From Abbot Elementary School
Abbot Elementary fourth-graders are making a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer and other catastrophic diseases.
Teachers Annette Stojcevich and Cynthia Heusel offered students the opportunity to participate in the annual Math-a-Thon fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Twenty three students participated and raised $720 total for St. Jude’s.
To kick off the fundraiser, Stojcevich’s read the students a story about a small hummingbird that was going to hold up the falling sky with its tiny feet. The moral of the story was that no matter how small you are, you can contribute to the solution. And then the fourth-graders did just that.
“Our class gets the chance to do our part to help others,” she said. “I have worked with St. Jude’s in the past, and it is an organization that I try to support every year. I am so proud of our fourth graders for working so hard to make a difference.”
Each participating student was challenged to complete 200 math problems in a St. Jude’s Math-a-Thon Funbook over winter break. Students asked family and friends for sponsorships (a flat dollar amount donation) and pledges (a donation per math problem completed.)
All fourth-graders had the opportunity to participate in the Math-a-Thon, even if they were unable to obtain sponsorships and pledges. An anonymous parent pledged $.05 per completed math problem ($10 if all 200 math problems were completed) for students wanting to participate but who did not receive pledges.
The Math-A-Thon Funbook supplemented the existing fourth-grade curriculum, so participation helped students improve their math and comprehension skills while learning the importance of helping others.
Fourth-graders really felt the significance of participating in this fundraiser. “I feel that this is a good time for the fourth graders to do something good for a hospital, and help save lives. This is just a huge responsibility and I think it is great to be doing it,” said Drew, a student participant. Classmate Henry added, “I really liked the Math-a-Thon. I got to do some math and help kids feel better.”
Funds raised by the Math-A-Thon program help make it possible for St. Jude to treat patients regardless of a family’s inability to pay. For more than 30 years, Math-A-Thon has been America’s largest education-based fundraiser. Funds raised by Abbot’s fourth-grade students and other participants benefit St. Jude, where doctors and scientists work to eradicate childhood cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.
For more information on St. Jude and the Math-a-Thon program, visit www.stjude.org.
