Grand Prairie students raise over $19,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

A successful fundraising walk by Grand Prairie Elementary School kindergarten through second grade students at school raised $19,927 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF.)
The event was coordinated by Grand Prairie physical education instructors Rob Seibert, Richard Innocenti and Lori McCurdy.

Students walked during their physical education classes to music provided by Randy Ridderhoff of Awesome DJ’s & PhotoBooth, www.awesomedjs.com. Mr. Ridderhoff donated his services to provide music and encouragement to the students as they walked.

The JDRF Kids Walk program is an educational, in-school fundraising program with two goals: to educate students about type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and to provide them with an opportunity to make a difference by raising money for type 1 diabetes research. The program helps foster an environment of positive character building and community service. Students are recognized with a banner and awards.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. According to their website, their goal is to progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people’s lives until we achieve a world without it. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. .As the largest charitable supporter of this research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $568 million in scientific research in 17 countries. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to type 1 diabetes research. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

Physical Education Instructor Lori McCurdy stated, It is absolutely amazing the support that has been given to this charity. The kids are overwhelmed and I am very proud of them!” PE Instructor Rob Siebert also appreciated the support of the District 157-C families and staff, stating, “Amazing total for only two weeks of collecting donations.”