Connerton Students Run Up the Numbers with Fitness Fundraiser

Connerton students and staff hit the ground running with a fundraiser recently—and it paid off. 

On Wednesday, students participated in a Fun Run, the culmination of a nine-day Boosterthon program that combines fitness, leadership and character building with fundraising, according to its website.

The initial goal was to raise $20,000, PTA president Lori McCandrew said.

But the school’s principal, Anna Falcone, is competitive, so she increased the goal to $30,000, McCandrew said.

“We actually raised $29,950.00 but our reps at Boosterthon knew she wanted $30,000 and they proudly handed us $50 cash to meet our goal,” McCandrew said. “(Falcone’s ) competitive nature is always in the best interest of the school.”

Teachers and staff helped with the fundraising, but the students were the primary fundraisers, collecting donations from family, friends and businesses, McCandrew said.

"As leader of the school one of my jobs is to (monitor) the instructional time of all students. When the PTA approached me with this fundraiser, I was a bit hesitant. After working with the Boosterthon team, I was thorougly impressed with their focus on leadership, character, fitness and making good choices. Our school pulled together to get pledges from 39 states and 12 different countries. Most importantly, we worked as a school community towards a common goal. This is a perfect example of how working together benefits everyone, especially our children," Falcone said in an email.

The money will go toward a new secondary playground, and enhancing the school’s technology department with new computers and iPads.

McCandrew said she also was impressed with the program and the Boosterthon company’s owner, who flew into town to visit the school recently.

“Aside from the fundraising efforts our children learned so much about team spirit, American history and being a good citizen,” McCandrew said.