Wegner Elementary School in West Chicago Walks for Diabetes Awareness

On April 12, 2011 the students and staff of Wegner School participated in SCHOOLWALK for Diabetes to raise money and awareness about this disease. The school set a goal to raise $3,200 and walk a total of 640 miles.

Education was a very important part of this fundraiser, and Krisann Dollars, 2nd grade teacher, and the committee she organized, made it a priority to teach the students and staff about diabetes through a variety of activities. A representative from the American Diabetes Association spoke to the students and staff about the different types of diabetes, healthy eating and exercise and showed a movie featuring a famous athlete who has diabetes. Dr. Vicky Zanillo, Asst. Superintendent of Learning, also shared with the students her lifelong experience with having diabetes. Teachers were given “fast facts” on a regular basis to share with their classes and announcements were made over the PA system telling students facts about diabetes, prevention and cure research in an effort to educate and motivate fund raising.

In the end, the group exceeded their goal by walking a total of 961 miles. Mrs. Dollars was thrilled by the results, “That's like walking from here to Cheyenne, WY or to Boston, MA, or even walking from here to Tallahassee, FL! (Information researched by Mrs. Duffey's GATE students). But our biggest goal was to raise money to help fight and find a cure for Diabetes. We made a goal to raise $3,200 as a school ($5 per student) and we EXCEEDED that goal! WE RAISED $6,728.46!”

For more information please contact Ashley Oakes, the American Diabetes Associations representative in charge of school walks in our area at aoakes@diabetes.org or visit the website at www.diabetes.org.