Mars event raises $47,000
ADAMS TWP — The March for Mars raised nearly $47,000 in its biggest and best year yet.
The walkathon event is the biggest fundraiser for the Mars Area Elementary PTO, which helps students and teachers in grades kindergarten to six.
“The kids love it, the teachers love it, the principals love it and the community stands behind it,” said Susan Tirch, event coordinator with the PTO. “It's just been a really good thing.”
Students collect donations and can win prizes for hitting different donation levels. Bringing in $10 wins them a cinch bag, $40 is a shirt and bringing in higher amounts wins them different spirit wear.
Some collect flat rate pledges from friends and family, while others have lemonade stands or just bring in a few dollars in an envelope, said Rachel Steigerwald, PTO president.
“There's no requirements, there's no minimums, everyone gets come,” Steigerwald said.
Regardless of whether a student brings in donations or not, they get to participate in the walkathon, held this year on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“It's not a race, it's not a challenge, no one is left out,” Steigerwald said. “Every child, no matter who donates and who doesn't, comes. No one is left out. Everyone gets involved and gets to do it.”
The money raised primarily pays for the student field trips throughout the school year and T-shirts for every kindergarten to sixth grade student, Tirch said. The PTO fully funds those trips.
It also goes to teacher funds and special projects that are requested by the school administration, Tirch said. In the past the PTO has bought things like iPads and gym equipment, she said.
The event, started in 2014, replaced some smaller fundraising events. Steigerwald said they used to have a carnival but often times children or families couldn't come on the weekends.
The March for Mars takes place during the school day over three days, one day for the Primary Center, Elementary School and the Centennial School. Children wear school colors and get to walk or run around outside for about 45 minutes during their class's designated time.
“The kids just love it,” Steigerwald said.
The PTO still does some smaller sales and events, but they're most for the community because of popular demand, like the Sarris candy sale or the spirit wear sale.
Now students can raise money at the beginning of the school year and that funds the PTO's projects for the rest of the year. It makes it easier on families and kids to not worry about hitting fundraising goals or constantly hitting up friends and family with sales, Steigerwald said.
Thanks to a number of corporate sponsors, the costs for the event were completed covered this year, Tirch said. So all donations that students raised went straight to the PTO, and in turn that money goes back to the students.
