Coyote Valley Elementary Jog-a-thon raises more than $12,000
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE — On Oct. 19, the annual Coyote Valley Elementary (CVE) Jog-a-thon fundraiser was enjoyed by students, staff and parents. All of the proceeds from this year”s event are going toward building new playgrounds at the school.
Coordinated by the CVE Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the Jog-a-thon is one of the top annual school fundraisers with the entire profit going directly back to the school. In years past, this money was used for field trips, assemblies, etc. However, as the need for new playground equipment became more apparent, it was decided by the parents and teachers that the money raised would go directly to the playground fund.
CVE Principal Celia Waite said, “As many people in our community know, the playground equipment we currently have is barely usable to our students and Coyote Valley has been working together for a long time to replace it. The Jog-a-thon gave our students the opportunity to contribute to their own cause, all while exercising in the sunshine.”
Although pledges are still being collected, projections for the 2012 Jog-a-thon indicate that more than $12,000 was raised. This money will go into the CVE Playground Fund. According to CVE PTO President Misha Grothe, it is estimated that at least $100,000 is needed to fully complete the playground construction. Various fundraisers are ongoing for this special fund.
According to Jog-a-thon Chairperson Jennifer Totten, the success of the Jog-a-thon is due to a combination of the support of the community, along with the excitement of the students. “Students and parents alike look forward to the annual Jog-a-thon,” Totten said. “It combines exercise, fun, student and community camaraderie and a little competition too.”
Students compete against classmates as they gather pledges from friends, family and businesses, and then race against one another in a timed run of 30 minutes or less. Special prizes are awarded by grade level to the student who raises the most money. The top lap-runners from each grade level, as well as every student who raises at least $50, is treated to a rootbeer float party, compliments of the CVE PTO.
This year”s Jog-a-thon was sponsored by the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District (CSD), which contributed toward the cost of T-shirts that are provided to all of the Jog-a-thon participants. Judging on this year”s theme of “Coyote”s Saving Water ? Drop by Drop!,” the CSD board selected the winning student artwork that was featured on the front of the T-shirt. This year”s winners were Alessandra Diaz in first place, Hollie Alberigi in second place, Madeline Hoskins in third place, Grace Edward in fourth place and Isabella Dubois in fifth place.
The back of the T-shirts feature businesses that made a minimum monetary donation of $250 toward the Jog-a-thon. T-shirt sponsors include Astro Jump, Bennett Solutions, Big Chill, Bottle Rock Power, Bower Chiropractic, Clearlake Dental, Conover Electric, Coyote Valley Pharmacy, Hardester”s Markets, Jan-Mar Building Contractors, JT Auto Glass, Ledcor Group, Moore Family Winery, Mugshots Espresso, Muscle Matrix Gym, Pullman Heating & Cooling, Reliable Plumbing, Stephen Hebert Painting, Tri-Counties Bank, Twin Pines Casino & Hotel, Whispering Pines Spring Water and the HVL Community Services District.
Although the Jog-a-thon is over for this year, pledges are still being collected and money is still being raised for new CVE playgrounds. Donations can be sent to the school office or online at www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/8088.
Shannon Williams is publicity coordinator for the Coyote Valley Elementary Jog-a-thon.
