Photo Courtesy CISD Upper Valley Residents Join Canutillo Elementary School students and faculty for a River Walkathon. |
Photo Brax - Valley Publishing Starting Point of Walkathon |
Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund Gets Nearly $2,000 From Canutillo Elementary School.
In a touching example of what is best about our youth; Canutillo Elementary School faculty and students collected more than $1,700 for the Tsunami Relief Fund . It didn't take long for the young students to mobilize with the assistance of dedicated faculty and staff. Through class activities the students were able to obtain donations and made contributions themselves. The final event was a River Walkathon held on a bright and sunny Saturday morning in January.
These desperately needed funds will be used as part of the Red Cross’ relief aid program and will be used in the Indian Ocean areas of greatest need. “All of the money collected will go directly to the Tsunami Relief Fund through the Red Cross,” stated Susan Smith, CES technology lead teacher and one of the facilitators for the fund raising events.
For two weeks prior to the walkathon, CES students, teachers, and staff members participated in wellness walks on Wednesdays during the physical education class periods. “They donated their snacks money for that day as a lesson on giving and promoting world peace, as well as practicing a healthy life-style,” said Kenny Cooper, CES physical education teacher.
For the Saturday morning event, nearly 400 walkers gathered at the Borderland Road Bridge and followed the new paved path constructed in the Upper Valley along the Rio Grande. Red Cross volunteers were on-hand to accept donations, and a local business, Java Dave, contributed its profits for that Saturday morning to the relief fund.
“The weather was beautiful, the exercise was invigorating, and the purpose was admirable,” said Annette Brigham, a walkathon participant.
[In joining one of the greatest humanitarian relief efforts ever on this planet; the compassion and dedication of the students is both commendable and worthy of great praise and respect. These students have made our world a better place and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Editor's Commentary]
Special thanks to Alfredo Vasquez, Public Information Director at CISD for the press release and photo.
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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon
Copyright 2004 Valley Publishing Company
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