Larkin High hosts Connie-A-Thon fundraiser
Larkin High School will host the 17th annual Connie-A-Thon fundraiser in honor of a student who died waiting for heart and lung transplants.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the school, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin.
Proceeds benefit people within the Larkin community who have outstanding debt from medical expenses.
The fundraiser was started in 1998 to raise money for a former student, Connie Schweitzer, who was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension.
She needed a lung and heart transplant, but died on a waiting list in June 2000. This year's recipients are Larkin students Austin Keating, a junior in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, and Mikayla Lesko, a freshman. Both students have had lifelong health issues.
Attractions at the fundraiser include food booths, games, an inflatable bouncy house, live band performances, an art sale, face painting, caricatures, a fun run, car wash, silent auction, dunk tank, 3-on-3 basketball and soccer tournaments and raffles.
"Connie-A-Thon has been a great Larkin tradition, and it has helped so many people in need," said Julia Burch, a Larkin student government member.
"We would like to get the word out about it so that more people can give the recipients support."
A small committee of Larkin student government members organize the event. Students go door-to-door asking businesses for sponsorships and donations of silent auction items.
The event also helps promote awareness of organ donation and has raised money for Elgin Area School District U-46 staff, students, and friends with medical needs.
In case of inclement weather, the fundraiser could be moved to the gymnasium.