Polson's walk-a-thon raises money and awareness

POLSON - One-thousand, eight-hundred eighty-four and one-half miles.

That's how far Linderman and Cherry Valley Elementary students walked last Friday at the annual walk-a-thon fundraiser. The mileage translates into 6,219 laps around the Linderman walking path, a feat accomplished by roughly 700 kids in just an hour and a half.

The entire student body and staff participated in the event to raise money for the schools. Parents and friends were all encouraged to attend, walking with the students, manning snack stations and water stops or helping to count laps on the infield.

While the final fundraising numbers won't be turned in until May 21 when all donations are collected, this year's chairman, Catherine Young, feels good about the effort.

"I'm always impressed with how wacky and creative the kids get with the costumes," she said. "It's a great unifying event that promotes healthy living and good eating to our kids."

Young said the funds raised at the walk-a-thon will be split between the two schools and spent on things not normally covered by the schools' budgets. Linderman, she said, tends to spend the money on technology, like the Smart Boards they purchased last year. Cherry Valley, she said, has added playground equipment in the past.