Hickory Creek supports Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Hickory Creek Middle School sixth through eighth grade students, community members, parents and staff once again raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation. Each year the school participates in a Cystic Fibrosis Advisory Challenge and Walk. It is coordinated by Hickory Creek teacher David Wonder and the school’s encore and physical education teams. This year Hickory Creek raised over $7,700 for the cause. Over the past twelve years it has raised a total of $47,000!

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease in which a defective gene causes a thick, buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs causing persistent lung infections and progressively limiting the ability to breathe. CF can also cause other problems such as major digestive issues, malnutrition, diminished growth and liver disease. CF Foundation research has produced breakthrough treatments that have added years to the lives of people with CF.

Hickory Creek helps raise money for the CF Foundation in honor of Dean Burns, an eight year old boy who is a second grader at Grand Prairie Elementary School living with Cystic Fibrosis. The money raised supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the team of Dean Burns and his family. Dean’s team is “Eat. Pray. Dean.” and their website can be found at http://www.eatpraydean.com/. Although Dean does not receive any money directly, Hickory Creek has joined his fundraising team. Dean has one brother and two sisters. His brother Owen is a sixth grader at Hickory Creek. Dean looks up to his big brother and in his quiet way, Owen brings awareness and humility to the family’s fight against CF.

Mr. Wonder explained that Hickory Creek is continuing to focus on doing more than just raising money for the CF Foundation and said that education is also a big part of the challenge. In order to maximize student involvement and make it more of an educational experience, the school has been focusing on two essential questions, “What is Cystic Fibrosis?” and “How and why do we help others in need?” To help answer those questions the school utilized different activities during Advisory classes.

Each Advisory class picked a student to be an ambassador for the foundation. They were called “CF Stars.” These students were in charge of reading a quote or a fact about CF each day and helped run a lunchtime assembly where they met Dean and his family. To add to the fun of the challenge, incentives were provided for the students. Additional efforts for the cause included a “question and answer” session with Dean and the Burns family during the lunch periods on May 11, a hot lunch for students on May 18 and a jeans week where staff could make a donation for the opportunity to wear jeans to work. There was also a pizza lunch donated by the Mokena Aurelio’s for the Advisory class raising the most money.

On May 25 the students participated in a morning assembly with special guests that included Village of Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland, Police Chief John Burica, the Burns family and a representative from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mr. Wonder congratulated the students on their efforts for the CF Advisory Challenge. Then District 157-C students, staff, community members and parents walked together on the outdoor track in honor of Dean following their very successful challenge.

Shown: Student Dean Burns