Link School Quadrupled Goal in 5th-Grade Sponsored Fundraiser

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Students at Link Elementary School quadrupled their goal in this year's 5th grade student action. What the fifth-graders had decided this year was to get the entire school involved in the St. Jude Math-a-thon. What they got surpassed everyone's expectations.

The Math-a-thon is a fundraiser where children do math problems and get sponsors to donate money for the cause. St. Jude's was chosen as the school's action this year as it is "children helping other children." St. Jude's doesn't ask for a penny from families who need their services. All travel, food and medical expenses are covered by donations.

Link's drive started on March 3 with 2 assembly programs meant to get the students informed and interested in helping the kids of St. Jude. Students were encouraged to get sponsors, do math problems and collect donations from family and friends.

The original goal of the fundraiser this year was to raise $5,000 but more than $5,000 came in within days. By the end, two weeks later, the school had raised more than $20,000, with more than 100 families participating. Some children brought in more $1,000 themselves.

One student had been saving her birthday and Christmas money to donate to St. Jude's Children's Hospital so this fundraiser came at a time where she and her brother could go out and raise additional money. They raised over $1,000 for the cause. Another student, a 4th grader at Link, raised the most money: $1,545.