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Marlow students run to assist school's PTO
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Charles Smith, Chris Overstreet and Madison Leggett (from left) lead fifth graders into a turn during Thursdays Fun Run. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

GUYTON — Even though Thursday’s event at Marlow Elementary School was dubbed the “Fun Run,” its participants enjoyed jumping, gyrating and cheering, too. Plus, they learned some important lessons.

Accompanied by the pulsating sound of loud, high-energy music, fourth and fifth graders spent approximately 30 minutes skipping, dancing and yelling between 35 circular dashes on the front of the Marlow campus in a highly successful fundraising effort. More than $22,000 was generated for the school’s PTO, which will use the money to purchase a video projector and screen.

“This is our biggest fundraiser by far,” PTO representative Joan Strickland said. “Students obtained pledges per lap or a flat fee.”

Every student, sporting a t-shirt donated by Harold’s Paint & Body Shop of Rincon, participated regardless of their level of financial contribution. They were joined on a few laps by some of their teachers.

Even Robert Grant, the Effingham County Board of Education’s District 1 representative, completed a circuit in his dress shoes.

The Fun Run was planned and coordinated by Boosterthon, which helps more than 2,400 U.S. elementary schools raise money through similar annual events, thereby reducing the need for parents to sell items on behalf of their PTA or PTO.

“Boosterthon is a great company,” Strickland said. “I know South Effingham Elementary School uses them for their Glow Run.”
Strickland said Boosterthon provides benefits to schools that’s aren’t just monetary.

“The Boosterthon team has worked with our students since (March 21),” she said. “Every day, the students receive a lesson from them. Focus, self-awareness and bravery are the types of things they learned about.”

Other topics included respect, creativity and trustworthiness.”

“The students actually get lessons that they can carry through life,” Strickland said. “That’s one of the reasons we chose this company.”