Vernon Hills students march to help students a world away

More than 600 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Hawthorn Elementary South in Vernon Hills marched down Aspen Drive Thursday morning as part of a project to raise money for a new school in Kenya.

Students held flags from different African countries as they marched about a mile through the neighborhood.

Megan Holt, who is the adviser for SAGES (Student Advisory Group Elementary South), helped organize the event. The students collected pledges from family members and friends.

"The students have raised almost $6,000," said Holt. "The student that raises the most money will get to ride to school on a fire truck."

The money will go toward building a new school for the Masai Tribe in Kenya. Proceeds will go to the Brick by Brick Foundation, which is part of Free the Children, a network of children helping children through education.

Donations can be made by sending a check, made out to "Free the Children," in care of Megan Holt, Hawthorn Elementary South, 430 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061.