Middlebrook sixth graders on the Six Green team may wear the green proudly, but they also inspired many other people to donate ‘the green’–money, that is, and lots of it. They recently raised more than $22,000 to support a childhood cancer charity called Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
On April 30, all three Middlebrook sixth grade teams took part in a fundraising walkathon. Although the entire grade walked together, each of the three teams walked for a different charity.
Six Green teachers had given the students on the team the opportunity to decide which charity to support. Fourteen students voluntarily researched and presented charities for the team’s consideration. “It’s impressive how many students were willing to take such a risk and put themselves out there,” says their teacher Darren Gunn. Most students had a personal connection to the charities they supported. Davis Cote and Christian Theoharides presented Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Christian’s sister, Lyla, has battled Stage 4 neuroblastoma, and Davis’ family has long been involved in fundraising for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Their idea ultimately received the highest number of votes.
Gunn says the 111 Six Green students were tremendously motivated. “They further researched the charity; they asked for donations from parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, friends, and neighbors; they asked parents to bring donation sheets to work; they used emails and FaceTime chats to connect with family from all over the world; they visited friendly houses around their neighborhoods; they donated their own money; they even did chores and held local bake sales to raise money,” he recounts.
The Cote family created a website to help facilitate fundraising.
Six Green was also able to secure two matching grants, one anonymous and the other from the GE Foundation. Each benefactor generously offered to match student-raised donations up to $5,000. This further motivated the students, who broke past the $5,000 goal before the walkathon even took place! Upon hearing this news, both donors raised the cap on the matching offers to $6,500. The students took full advantage of the opportunity to see their donations effectively tripled.
Yesterday morning, June 2, Six Green presented the grand total of $22,573 to Jeff Snyder, Wilton resident and a board member of Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Jeff spoke to the team about the importance of pediatric cancer research and complimented the students for their efforts.
“It was amazing to see a team of this size to bond together towards one common goal. They exemplify the spirit of Alex Scott in their pursuit to help kids who are battling this terrible disease. It’s just amazing to see kids at this age who are willing to rally their community to act on behalf of others,” Snyder told GMW.com.
Perhaps the highest compliment was something Christian Theoharides said to his classmates during the check presentation as he thanked them for their dedication: “My sister would be proud.”
The teachers were proud too. “As I said to the students at the team assembly, so much can be accomplished when a team works together with a focused cause,” Gunn adds.