Grand Meadow rings in support with Jingle Bell Walk and Jog
Published 9:14 am Saturday, December 22, 2018
- Grand Meadow Elementary students race out of the gymnasium doors for laps around the school Friday morning, part of a fundraiser to help a Grand Meadow woman battling cancer. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
With a trot and a jog, Grand Meadow High School students were lifting holiday spirits Friday for a family who needs extra help this season
Grand Meadow Student Council sponsored the Jingle Bell Jog/Walk, with proceeds donated to Milagros Vigo’s family. Vigo was diagnosed in late October with stage four uterine cancer, which spread to her lung, and formed two tumors in her brain, along with one behind her eye. Her daughter, Camil, is a senior at Grand Meadow High School.
Hunter Shane leads the way as Grand Meadow Elementary students walked or jogged around the school for a fund raiser raising money for a Grand Meadow woman battling cancer. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Lynn Baldus, one of the organizers for the event and a first grade teacher, said that the this was the fourth time the Jingle Bell Walk/Jog had been held, with each event supporting someone in the community who needs extra support.
“It depends on what the need is for the family in the community,” Baldus said. “We work together as a group, and we do this in honor of someone or someone in need of some medical assistance or family assistance.”
So on Friday, Grand Meadow School went to work. Elementary grade students had a chance to participate in the event during the morning. With an explanation of what the reasoning was behind the walk and jog, students ran around the building and once finished, were treated to hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus. High School students and community members ran in the afternoon and also received hot chocolate and cookies.
Kindergarten students in Grand Meadow wave and ring bells as they prepare to head inside after walking around the school for a fundraiser Friday morning. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Even before the jog, students were busy selling t-shirts with proceeds being donated to the family as well as selling little holiday spirit wear like antlers, Santa Claus hats and bells. As of Thursday, students raised more than $2,500, with more donations being made by community members in person.
“It’s a good way to send everyone to go home for holiday break,” Baldus said. “I think most of the kids enjoy it, and the student council sell bells, santa hats and antlers. The whole school wears them to support the cause. It always surprises me, how a small trinket gets people into the holiday spirit. Just by wearing that, it shows support for the family. We’re enjoying some time together as a school community, and we’re moving forward. We hope that this financial contribution to the family will be joyful to them during the holiday season.”
