The annual Westbrook School Walk-a-Thon will be taking place again this year Sept. 26 with nearly 160 students from kindergarten to Grade 8 taking part.
The day starts with an assembly in the morning with kids then being bussed out to a location for their walk to Bottrel Park. Kindergarteners trek around eight kilometers, Grades 1 and 2 walk 12 kilometers and Grades 3 through 8 walk 15 kilometers.
A hotdog lunch and celebration will be held at Bottrel following the walk.
Karen Allison is the co-chair of the Walk-a-Thon along with Sasha Pike. Allison said that the kids are given pledge packages the first week of school and collect them leading up to the event.
Allison said that last year they raised just over $24,000 and have raised over $20,000 for the last three consecutive years.
“It is a big event. It is the school’s main fundraiser and it funds portions of many of the programs within the school,” said Allison. “There is really quiet a lot of really great programs that are special to Westbrook that this money goes towards subsidizing.”
Allison said some of these programs include swimming lessons, skating programs, updating gym supplies like track and field equipment, and funding of library and classroom resources.
It also helps with fine arts opportunities such as an artist in residency program and hip hop performances that come to the school. She also mentioned that last year the whole school was able attend Theater Calgary’s production of Mary Poppins.
“I think it enriches their learning experience and brings something special to the school,” said Allison. “The opportunity for the kids to see Mary Poppins was really special and all kids and teachers will have a fond memory of that for sure.”
For more information contact Allison at 403-999-9984.
