Avon Lake Students Raise Money To Fight Cancer

AVON LAKE, OH — In November, the students of Eastview Elementary were challenged to raise at least $750 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A parent of the students at the school said he would match the money raised by the kids, up to $750. The kids had three weeks to raise the money.

The students raised $5,359.85, absolutely smashing their goal.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a voluntary health organization that's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients battling the diseases. The group has developed a series of fundraising programs geared for children.

The LLS' Student Series programs have worked with thousands of children across the U.S. from elementary schools to high schools. The students have helped invest more than $1 billion since 1993.

“By participating, not only will kids learn about making an impact, but about leadership, teamwork, philanthropy and what "doing good" for others can mean,” said Lindsay Silverstein, LLS’s Northern Ohio chapter executive director. “It’s a program that is truly meaningful because kids learn that their efforts really make a difference. As children move through their years at school, they can grow with the Student Series.”

The Eastview Elementary students got involved because of Dan Buttari, the physical education teacher. He coordinated the program at the school with the help and support of Principal Jamie Franko. An in-school assembly was held in November to kick things off. Students were then inducted into the LLS 'Hero Squad' and tasked with raising as much money as possible for LLS. Those kids became superheroes.

This was the first year the school participated in the LLS program.

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