An elementary school in the Bronx is walking to raise funds for a children’s hospital.
On Friday, April 17, St. Raymond Elementary School will be sponsoring a walkathon event to raise money for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, which will begin at 9 a.m. at the school’s location on 2380 E. Tremont Avenue.
For the walkathon, students in grades 6 through 8 will walk from the school up East Tremont Avenue to Metropolitan Oval and back to the school. Students in pre-k through grade 2 will walk around the gym and complete relay races and other activities and students in grades 3 through 5 will walk three laps around the perimeter of the school and return to the school for a dance party.
Sixth grader Gabriel Sanchez, who has suffered his entire life with chronic granulomatous disease, a rare genetic disorder, was honored and appointed as the walkathon’s Grand Marshal at a school ceremony on Monday, March 30 after he was officially diagnosed and treated at MFCH.
During the ceremony, it was also announced that seventh grader Anjali Franklyn was the winner of a t-shirt design contest, as her design was chosen for the walkathon and will be worn by thousands of people for another walkathon event, Westchester Medical Center’s ‘Go the Distance Walk & Family Fun Day’, which will take place on Sunday, May 3 in Valhalla.
Students at St. Raymond Elementary School are also currently raising money for MFCH by asking their family and friends to sponsor them, showing that the school has a huge appreciation for the hospital that has treated many of its own.
“We were inspired to hold a walkathon to show our continued support for Gabriel and other children requiring care at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” said Sister Patricia Brito, RJM, principal of St. Raymond Elementary School. “This event gives students and staff who might not be able to participate in the Go the Distance Walk & Family Fun Day a chance to show their support for a great cause.”
“The walkathon is another indication of the way that St. Raymond cares for others.”
