Students raise $ 25,727.28 for CGS P.T.S.
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The walk-a-thon was originally scheduled to take place Wednesday September 22 bit it was canceled at the last minute due to rain. The event was rescheduled for the following Thursday September 30. The weather was beautiful and the entire event was successfully accomplished to perfection.
Pre-K through 2nd graders were bussed to the Chester High School Track and Field Complex for the first walk. Upon arrival the students and their teachers and several parents walked approximately 2.5-miles or eight laps around the track. The opening session lasted from 8:30 a.m. till 10:00 a.m.
While walking participants were treated to a free bottle of water, music and a variety of public service announcements. CGS Choral Music Teacher Zeb Holder was the music D.J. for the event and Dr. Jim Beers served as the Public Address Announcer. Both Holder and Beers kept things alive throughout the event.
P.T.S. officers and members were on hand to chaperone the event, monitor various booths and distribute water. Upon leaving the track to board the busses for the return trip to CGS all walkers were awarded with a free CGS Walk-A-Thon orange plastic water bottle. Most walkers also wore official 1st Annual Walk-A-Thon orange T-Shirts which were sold by Principal Lochhead for only $3.00.
The second walk began at 10:30 a.m. and lasted until 12 noon. This walk featured the students from grades 6-8. The junior high students had a great time and enjoyed the time away from classes.
Thee event was booked as a way to raise money for P.T.S. in addition to promoting fun and fitness. Students walked for fun but also had the opportunity to compete for prizes based upon their overall donation collections.
The community had the chance to take part in the event from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. during the Community Walk. The final student walk took place from 1:00 p.m. till 2:30 p.m. and featured students in grades 3-5.
Throughout the day students and parents could attempt to "Crack the Safe" and win $10,000.00. By simply guessing the correct combination to the safe the winner would receive all of the money in the safe which was $ 10,000.00. No one guessed the combination, but the game created much excitement throughout the event.
The 2010 Walk-A-Thon fundraiser replaced the former P.T.S. candy sales which last year cleared only $11,000.00. Principal Tim Lochhead came up with the walk-a-thon idea as a way to raise money in a fun, healthy manner. All students who collected at least $20.00 in pledges were eligible to go to the track and participate in the walk-a-thon.
The success of the 1st Annual walk-A-Thon was evidenced by the huge community support. Local merchants and organizations donated $5, 130.00 to the event while student collections amounted to $20,597.28 for a total of $25,727.28. The walk-a-thon raised $14,727.28 more than the candy sales of last year.
CGS held an assembly Tuesday October 12 to announce the student prize winners and to congratulate students and staff for their wonderful efforts. Prizes were awarded in