Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation School Walk Meets Goal… And then Some

On October 19th, 2011 the students of Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary School in Foxburg, PA got to participate in an event that has never occurred at their campus.  A “Kids Walk for Diabetes” walk was held at the school.
This event was coordinated by senior class member Jessica Ferris. Although this was part of her senior project it was also a personal cause.  In September 2010 after Jessica’s little brother, Archer, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and he returned home from Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh with a large packet of information about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation she decided there was something SHE could do to help her brother.  Through JDRF she learned that walks could be arranged at your local school to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes research. 
Jessica decided that the best way she could help Archer, and many children like him, was to hold a fundraiser walk herself.  After receiving approval from the school administration it was decided that the walk would be in the fall of 2011.  With assistance from Western Pennsylvania  JDRF representative Mrs. Dianne Sickles, High school vice principal Mr. Josh Tabor and elementary principal Mr. John Fair she planned a walk for the fall of 2011.
A brief presentation was given to each of the elementary classrooms on October 3rd, 2011 and fundraising packets were distributed on October 5th.  The students were given two weeks to collect donations through the ‘sale’ of paper shoes.  Jessica collected these shoes each morning and they were stapled up on a display wall at the school to show how each class was doing.  On October 19th all monies were collected and the actual walk was held. 
Students walked from the elementary school  building up to the high school track.  Once at the track they each walked two laps and had an opportunity to meet Rufus, The Bear With Diabetes before returning to the elementary building. 
When Jessica started this walk she had a goal of $1000.00 in donations.  After all students had had the opportunity to walk, the donations were counted.  Through the hard work of Jessica and the students of ACV Elementary, and the generous donations of the community, a total of over $4210.00 was raised for Juvenile Diabetes Research!
There is a lot to be said of a young person taking on a large project such as this and coordinating it entirely by oneself and of a group of approximately 377 students raising over $4000.00 for this cause.  
When asked about her project Jessica said “I am so proud of my little brother.  He has to get an insulin shot before each meal and test his blood at least 6 times a day.  He never really complains or whines.  He always seems ok with it all and he’s one tough little guy.  I just want to find a way for him to not have to deal with this anymore.  I’ve been researching a lot of information, especially on the JDRF website, about advances that are being made.  I just hope it’s not that far off for Archer and all the kids like him”. 
For more information on JDRF or to make a donation to the Western PA Chapter call (814) 452-0635. 
A special thanks goes out also to local businesses who made contributions: Emlenton IGA, FRB Machine Shop, Farmer’s National Bank of Emlenton, Brosnahan CPA, Jay C. Henry DMD, Lynn King and Shreffler PC-Attorney at Law; and to the ACV staff and teachers and elementary school secretary Stacy Redding.