Patton School $8,000-plus for Make-A-Wish

Patton School in Arlington Heights has raised more than $8,000 - and counting - from its annual Make-A-Wish walkathon held May 6 at the school.

Pledges were still coming in as of May 20, but Patton Administrative Assistant Rose Ann Yanik said the $8,051.38 counted so far will more than cover the costs of their Make-A-Wish child, and help pay for a second child's wish as well.

This is only the second year Patton School has held its Walk A Thon. Last year the school raised $15,000 and sponsored wishes for three kids.

This year, Patton is raising money for a boy named Alexis. Alexis is described as an outgoing 8-year-old who is diagnosed with a neurological disorder called spinal muscular atrophy, characterized by progressive muscular weakness. This has Alexis in a wheelchair full time.

His wish is for a Toys R' Us shopping spree. Of the money Patton collected, $5,000 will go to fulfill Alexis's wish, and the rest toward another child, who has not been identified, Yanik said.