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Walkathon to benefit schools raises $12,000
A walkathon to benefit Baldwin schools last weekend raised over $12,000 even before all the donations were counted. Spearheaded by Baldwin’s Keshia Thorpe, a registered nurse, the event, held in association with Baldwin4Children.org, was conducted under sunny skies at the Baldwin Senior High School track.
More than 100 sponsored walkers circled the track for three hours, supported by co-workers, grandparents, friends and neighbors. Some registered early online and others did so in person, all in a quest to help Baldwin schools raise more than $90,000 by Oct. 1. If the effort is successful, the programs to be restored include the high school and middle school musicals, and winter sports programs.
Even though her own children attend BHS, Thorpe believes program restoration is most essential at the middle school level. “Middle school is such an important time in our children’s lives,” Thorpe said. “Activities like the musical and sports are important to their development and self-esteem. I am hoping that the money we’re raising can bring those programs back.”
Although this was her first time producing such a large-scale charity event, with a lot of research, dedication and hard work, no detail was overlooked. Thorpe and her helpers provided balloons, T-shirts, a DJ and face painters to keep energy levels high and walkers enthused.
There were many familiar faces around the track on Saturday including school board trustee Joel Press, SportsNite standout Melissa Watts, Baldwinpalooza producer Erika Floreska and Jen Clavin, one of Baldwin4Children’s leaders. Several groups also elected to walk in teams, like the stage “krough” — students who work behind the scenes at Baldwin Senior High School’s musical and drama productions.
Also on hand were several health-minded volunteers, like Baldwin Senior High School junior, April Covington and several of Baldwin’s Girl Scouts. Sporting hot pink t-shirts, the troop encouraged elementary school walkers by punching their cards for each lap walked.
Resident Marie Doll, a registered nurse at Mercy Medical Center, administered free blood pressure screenings from a tent in the center of the field. Her daughter, Rachel, a freshman cheerleader at the high school was there to support her mom and the cause.
When asked about plans to repeat the pedestrian fundraiser next year Thorpe said, “Sure, but I’m hoping we won’t need to… I’m looking to the people we elected to the school board to figure it out.”
