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Students ride bikes to raise awareness
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Pictured, from left, are Paul, Adam and Lucas as they stood by their bikes at the Trike-a-Thon at Poland North Preschool on May 6.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Students in Joy Bucci, Samantha Cox and Terry Wittenauer's classes participated in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Trike-a-Thon on May 6 at Poland North Preschool.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.All of the students gathered together at the end of the Trike-a-Thon on May 6 to take a group picture with their bicycles and scooters at North Preschool.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Pictured, from left, are Gulianna and Gemma with the bikes they rode during the Poland North Preschool Trike-a-Thon on May 6.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Students at Poland North Preschool rode their bikes and scooters for the Trike-a-Thon on May 6 to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Poland North Preschool hosted a Trike-a-Thon on May 6 to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Students spent the morning riding their bicycles and scooters around the parking lot to bring awareness to St. Jude’s. There were times when only the girls or boys rode, and each class took a turn riding with their classmates.
“We tell them to bring a bike or a tricycle, whatever it is, that they can manage very well,” said Joy Bucci, a teacher at North Preschool.
The students started collecting money for St. Jude’s in April. All of the money raised will be donated back to St. Jude’s. The program raises awareness to St. Jude’s while also teaching bike safety and allowing the children to get in some exercise at the same time.
Samantha Cox, the transitional kindergarten teacher, had a special connection to this event and St. Jude’s. Her sister was admitted to the hospital and was happy to be a part of an event like this.
“If the parents don’t have any money to go, they don’t ever get a bill, they’ll never see a bill. When my sister went, they were given a room and board and food, she didn’t have to pay for anything,” said Cox.
The St. Jude’s website has a list of what the money helps with. The list has prices of what different treatments cost so people know how their money is helping when they donate.
The students rode their bikes for about a half hour before they finished and went to their classes to start the day. Many of the students were worn out by the end of their Trike-a-Thon, but enjoyed the time they spent outside.
“It’s for a really good cause. Kids helping kids,” said Bucci.