October 4, 2005

San Jose Christian Walkathon raises $42,000 for programs and supplies

By Julie Davis Berry
Special to the Times

Over 225 students, big and small, walked the track to raise funds for school programs in the second annual San Jose Christian School Walkathon. Their blistered feet weren’t for naught – the kindergartners through eighth graders raised an impressive $42,000 (net).

Daniel Tisdale, (top, second from right) who walked the most laps at the Walkathon (110 laps!) takes a break to pose with his buddies.

The school, located on the Campbell campus of the former Dover Elementary School, holds the Walkathon to raise money to support the student activity fund. The fund includes P.E. equipment, a trip to the Fine Arts Festival, events like the seventh grade spiritual retreat and the Sports Banquet and toward purchasing classroom supplies like maps and TVs.

“It was a great day for community building and the local businesses really helped out donating for the silent auction. The whole day was about raising money for the kids,” said fundraising chairperson Bonnie Harper. “It really takes a village to run a walkathon.”

Although the students worked hard walking around the parent-made track, there was also lots of time for good old fashioned fun. They could purchase tickets to dunk popular seventh grade teacher Mr. Ezell in the dunk tank, jump in the jump house, get their faces painted or try a new ‘do at the crazy hair booth, all while munching down delicious cheeseburgers and nachos.

“It’s a great event,” said Superintendent Al Kosters as he surveyed the crowd. “We raise a lot of money but more importantly you get to see the smiles on all the kids’ faces.”