Students at Medicine Hat Christian School join local Make a Wish leader Donna Serr to cheer on their fundraising efforts for the foundation during the school's second annual Walk for Wishes on Thursday afternoon.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
K-9 students at Medicine Hat Christian School raised more than $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during a “Walk for Wishes” fundraising event Thursday afternoon.
The walk marks the second year of a growing partnership between the school and the Make-A-Wish Foundation after a successful inaugural walk raised more than $8,000 and, more importantly, resonated with students who want to help other kids.
“And they understand that what they’re doing in reality does have an impact on a lot of kids in our community, and they just hit it out of the park last year,” said vice principal Jordan Brace. “Any time we can get our kids to think about others and not focus as much on themselves, I think it’s a win. So that’s what this is all about, thinking about others and putting others first.”
Students got behind the charity that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses, and said they were motivated to ask their family members and friends for donations.
“It’s really special,” said Grade 3 student Eli Batdor, who was able to raise $200. “Because if they’re sick at the hospital they’re laying in bed mostly, but the Make-A-Wish Foundation helps to make their wish.”
Grade 1 student Emlynn Odhiang’s fundraising topped a whopping $1,200 for the foundation, and she told the News she hopes the money will help another child, and said she was happy to know her efforts will make a difference.
“It is so heartwarming to see these kids and how their hearts just want to reach out and help another child less fortunate,” said local Make-A-Wish leader Donna Serr. “These kids will have lemonade stands, they’ll empty their piggy banks, they’ll just walk the neighbourhood asking for pledges.
“It’s really, really special because it really is children helping children, and that’s why Make-A-Wish in schools is so successful.”
Earlier this month students at George Davison School raised more than $5,500, and on Tuesday students at Webster Niblock Schools raised more than $4,000 during their Walk for Wishes events.
“It brings awareness to these children that they are so fortunate, they can play soccer, they can play basketball, baseball, but so many of these kids that we give wishes to can’t, and it just kind of softens their little hearts,” says Serr.
