St. Francis de Sales School hosts year’s largest fundraising event

St. Francis de Sales School in Lake Zurich is celebrating its fifth annual Spirit Day fundraising event on Thursday, Sept. 22.

More than 500 students will descend on the streets of Lake Zurich to help raise funds for continued technology improvements, as well as Parent Teacher Organization funding for student activities at the parish school.

Students will ask family and friends to pledge them for their walk, and area businesses have also stepped up as sponsors. The goal for the PTO-sponsored event is $20,000.

St. Francis students in preschool through eighth grade will walk up to 1.3 miles as part of the Catholic school’s largest fundraising event.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the third through eighth graders will walk 1.3 miles (Buesching Road to Surryse Road to Old Rand Road to Route 22). The kindergarten, first- and second-graders will do a 0.7-mile course, while the preschool students will walk around the school parking lot.

“Our Spirit Day at St. Francis de Sales is much more than a fundraising event,” Principal Roy Rash said. “It is a special day where students, faculty and our pastor, Father David Ryan, come together to celebrate our community spirit and dedication to a Catholic education.

“Over the years, Spirit Day at St. Francis has really evolved into a spectacular event.”

The fun-filled day will also feature a prayer service starting at 7:50 a.m., followed by a pep rally in Valker Hall at 8:50 a.m.

Students will enjoy games, music, a hot dog lunch from Woody’s Chicago, and a humorous cultural arts program by Comedy Sportz — Chicago, the longest running short-form improv show in Chicago. Comedy Sportz — Chicago will perform throughout the day, including at 10:15 and 11:05 a.m.

For information or to make a donation, contact the school at (847) 438-7921.