ENGLEWOOD – Students from John Grieco Elementary School raised $3,447 during a “Walk to Cure Diabetes” on May 18, making it one of the top fundraising events for the local chapter of a diabetes research foundation this year.
“It’s truly remarkable that these kids really dove in and took on the mission,” said Douglas Rouse, executive director of Northern NJ/Rockland County Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.
Mayor Frank Huttle III came to the school’s field to cut the ribbon and kick off the walk, proud that the elementary school students raised such a significant amount of money for diabetes research.
Many students held banners – which were later judged for a contest – to show their support for the fight against diabetes. One second grade student raised $200 on her own by asking for donations instead of gifts during her birthday.
“I think it’s just amazing for students to give something like this and to have the awareness of something serious such as diabetes facing some of our children” Huttle said.
Although advertised as a walk, the event ended up being more of a run, with students laughing and cheering each other on as they raced across the track.
The fundraiser’s kickoff was April 3, when a member from the JDRF visited Grieco School to hold an assembly about Type 1 diabetes and the importance of healthy eating and exercise, art teacher Alicia Kays said.
“We shared with them how important finding a cure is,” Rouse said.
A student from the school with diabetes also spoke at the event, giving classmates the chance to hear from one of their own peers what it is like to live with the disease.
Students raised money for the foundation by donating online and selling between 500 and 600 paper sneakers which decorated the foyer of the school on the day of the event.
