Spruce Creek Elementary holds walk-a-thon to raise funds for a shaded playground

Over eight hundred Spruce Creek Elementary students walked laps in the sun to raise money for much-needed shade on their campus during the school's Bobcat Strut Walk-a-thon on Monday, Dec. 3.

In the almost two years Andrea Hall has been the school's principal, shade for the children has been a pressing need.

"When they get 20 minutes of recess time, it is 20 minutes of running around in the heat," Hall said. "When they come back into the school, they are drenched. Any little bit of shade would really be beneficial."

That's why Hall decided she would start a school fundraiser to make playground shade a reality. The school aims to raise at least $20,000 for a stretched canvas shade structure, though this may not happen in one year. Regardless, the school wants to get started raising funds now.

Hall knew of other local schools that were contracting with an organization to do a walk-a-thon fundraiser, but when she spoke to the organization about the details, she found out there was a $3,000 minimum fee no matter how much money the school raised. The dollar figure caused her to take a step back, as Spruce Creek Elementary is a Title 1 school, meaning at least 40% of its students come from low-income homes.

"We have a lot of students in poverty," Hall said. "We are really trying to raise funds for the school to benefit our students, and keep the monies here. So my Assistant Principal Megan Pellicer and I said, 'Why don't we do it ourselves?'"

The idea for the Bobcat Strut was born, and the school's administration organized the entire event. The premise of the Bobcat Strut was for students to raise money through their family and friends with online donations. Local businesses were also encouraged to donate. 

With 100% of the funds coming back to the school, this is a great benefit versus selling wrapping paper or chocolate where the school receives a small percentage, Hall said.

The pitch to the children was simple: wear your favorite sport apparel, help us raise funds for our school, win prizes.

Prizes include a bracelet for every child that walks, a T-shirt for any child who raises $30 or more, and a limo ride to Chuck E. Cheese for the Top 10 individual earners. Each class could win recess equipment or even an ice cream party. Students have until Friday, Dec. 7, to fundraise.

If you would like to donate to help bring shade to Spruce Creek Elementary, you can go to the link  tinyurl.com/SCESdonation