La Grange Third Grader Raises Over $7K For Lurie Children's

LA GRANGE, IL — A La Grange student has raised over $7,500 for Lurie Children's Hospital after holding a coin drive. Cossitt Elementary School student Wyatt Hare and his third grade class participated in their annual Passion Project and Hare chose a cause dear to him.

The students were able to choose a passion project of their choice and research and plan for it, the school said. Hare decided to research "how to plan a fundraiser” and chose to actually carry out the fundraiser he had planned for his project.

Hare was previously treated for a brain tumor at Lurie Children's Hospital and so he chose his fundraiser to benefit pediatric brain cancer research at the hospital. The school said he set a goal of $500 and met with Principal Michael Michowski to pitch his idea.

Hare, with the help of his sister Nora and his friend Molly, created posters and flyers to hang up around the school. He also sent flyers home to all Cossitt families to encourage their participation. Lastly, he did an interview with Tiger Tube, the Cossitt School “news” station that is broadcast once a week, and promoted his fundraiser which kicked off on Monday, Jan. 14, the school said.

The school responded with enthusiasm and there was a friendly competition between grade levels with the winning grade level winning a popsicle party.

The coins were counted at the end of the week, and Hare's $500 goal was exceeded several times over for a total of $7,649.13.

Photo via Cossitt Elementary School, District 102.