Pirate News: Walk with a Hero May 19.

Pirate News: Walk with a Hero May 19.

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. 

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — Spitler Elementary School hosts its annual PTO fundraiser, Walk with a Hero, Thursday May 19 from 5-7 p.m. at the Hart High School track.

Students get to walk laps around the track with local heroes — military veterans, firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, nurses, doctors and other brave professionals. 

In addition to the local heroes, families and community members are invited to attend.

This year is the first time since 2019 that the event is able to happen. COVID-19 restrictions canceled previous Walk with a Hero events in 2020 and 2021, said Spitler Elementary School Principal Andrea Degen.

There will be a silent auction with many donated items to bid on. Concessions will sell hot dogs, chips and cheese, snow cones, popcorn and water — everything costs $1. Music will liven up the event, and many raffle prizes will be available. For every $10 a student raises through pledges, they receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes that have a physical fitness or outdoor theme, said Degen. Anyone can donate. 

The class with the most donations will earn a snow cone party. The student with the most donations will receive a pizza from BC Pizza in Hart. The class that has the most coins and cash in their mason jar at the event will win an extra recess with Principal Degen.

Money raised will be used for resources to enhance educational programming at Spitler Elementary. “It’s our biggest PTO fundraiser for Spitler,” said Degen. Money goes toward technology, playground and other purchases. “It goes directly to students and staff at Spitler.” The goal is to raise $12,000.

Businesses that donate $100 can have a sign displayed at the track for the event.

Students have a themed dress-up week at school leading up to the fun event. They will wear camouflage Monday; red, white and blue Tuesday; workout clothes Wednesday; hero clothes Thursday; and school colors Friday.

Thursday is Dunk Tank Day when students get the opportunity to dunk their favorite educators during the school day. Last year when the walkathon was canceled due to COVID, the dunk tank fundraiser still happened, said Degen. “That raised thousands of dollars for our school.

“Students can pay $10 for three throws or they can pay $20 and just push the button” — guaranteeing a soaked schoolteacher. 

“It’s a great community event to wrap up the end of the year. It will be great to be with the community after a couple years of not being able to. The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) puts it on, and they do a fabulous job of organizing and planning the event.”

For more information, contact Michelle Hansen at mhansen@hart.k12.mi.us.

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