Schools
South Elementary Puts the "Fun" in Fundraising
South PTO member Michelle McLellan got excited when she heard about a new kind of school fundraiser that involved more than raising money.
The fundraiser was a fun run. And, while fun runs are not unique fundraising activities in and of themselves, the one Mrs. McLellan had heard about--the Apex Fun Run (www.apexfunrun.com)—was different. It combined fundraising with exercise and leadership training, and used an outside company (Arizona-based Apex) to help implement it. With South’s PTO, referred to as “SOS”-Supporters of South, on board along with the school’s administration, they decided to go for it.
On April 28th, the Apex team--made up of “Robo Rob,” “Big Time Bryan” and “Rockin’ Ryan”--arrived in Crystal Lake and launched the Apex Extreme fundraiser at South with an exciting pep rally where all students received Apex bands and race-day lap counters. While students were challenged to collect pledges for the race, it was made clear that all would be invited to participate in the race and activities leading up to the race regardless of financial contribution.
For the two weeks following the kick-off, the Apex team visited the school every day spending 8-10 minutes during each encore class to deliver talks to students on leadership, team-building and good character. When they weren’t providing inspirational talks, the Apex team could be found on the playground at recess playing games with students or “high-fiving” them in the hallways. Besides the daily visits, the Apex team helped students celebrate fundraising milestones over the two weeks. Students were awarded various prizes and one day they even got a chance to duct tape the Apex guys together!
The two exciting weeks culminated with the Apex Fun Run on May 7th. Students in grades K-5 ran for 30 minutes and averaged 26-36 laps each, with each lap being 1/16th of a mile. It was a beautiful day and students and staff enjoyed the camaraderie, exercise and fresh air!
According to assistant principal Kristen Cannon and PE teacher and Apex coordinator Patrick Houk, the experience was a win-win for South, in essence because it not only created a culture of giving, but it infused school spirit and re-energized the whole school--students, staff and administration.
“Because of the many demands already on our teachers and staff, we couldn’t have pulled off an incredible experience like this on our own,” said Mrs. Cannon. In fact, she said, there was even a bit of a let-down after the event and likened it to a wedding. “When there is so much build up along the way, it’s a little bittersweet when it’s all over,” she said.
Mr. Houk agreed, commenting that students and staff felt the Apex team’s absence after the event concluded. “The Apex Fun Run was an incredible fundraising and leadership building experience for the students and staff at South. Students got the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a leader as well as to participate in the culminating fun run event at the completion of the fundraiser. With the help of the South students and community, the school raised over $15,000, which will go directly towards updating our library, supporting teachers, and supporting the physical education program.”
