Madison City Schools’ philanthropy to benefit St. Jude
GREGG L PARKER
Months of work by students, teachers and administrators in Madison City Schools will lead to smiles from patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
The system-wide campaign to help St. Jude is tied to the St. Jude Marathon Weekend in Memphis on Dec. 3, students services coordinator Dennis James said.
Thus far, “Team Madison City Schools” has raised $34,159.49. “That number will continue to rise in the next few weeks,” James said. “We will probably end up with around $46,000 this year.”
A few Madison Schools still have active campaigns. Current totals are: Columbia Elementary School, $9,101.67; Rainbow Elementary School, $6,685; Bob Jones High School, $5,633.68; Mill Creek Elementary School, $4,416.72; Liberty Middle School, $3,705.91; Discovery Middle School, $1,218; Central Office, $1,090; West Madison Elementary School, $1,755; and Horizon Elementary School, $553.51.
“Our total places us third in the nation for this fundraising event,” James said.
“Most of our schools have students who are either current or former patients of St. Jude,” James said. “This fundraiser is a way that our students can help other children in need.”
On Dec. 3, at least one staff member from participating schools will run the full marathon (26.2 miles), the half marathon or the 5K in Memphis. “This run is also a way we promote fitness,” James said.
In Memphis, Rebecca Harrison will be the team’s parent representative. Matt and Rebecca Harrison’s daughter, Emmy, was treated at St. Jude and has completed chemotherapy. Emmy, a kindergarten student at Columbia, raised about $9,500.
“We became involved with St. Jude as a way to teach our students the importance of helping those in need,” James said. “We expect that our students will one day be global leaders. They learn that they have the power to make a difference in their world.”
“It’s a unique opportunity for schools because students can easily see they’re helping people their own age,” he said.
Individuals who want to donate can visit mystjudeheroes.org/madison.
