by Rachel Heitzenrater
rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
Students of W.R. Croman Elementary ran their bus loop on Friday, April 30, in a fundraiser that helped raise money for their school. Due to COVID restrictions, the Croman Cruisers’ Race for Education was placed on hold.
Luckily, the date it was rescheduled to last week was a somewhat nice and sunny day. Though there were a couple of rain drops during the second graders’s turn, they made the best of it, and still enjoyed their time outdoors.
This year, they raised $8,000, which exceeded their original planned goal during the pandemic, and they continue to raise more. The event proceeds go towards school field trips and more. Justine Wolf is the Parent Teachers Students Organization President.
“It goes for field trips, any kind of movie nights or fun nights that we do. We budget in for playground equipment. Pretty much anything that the kids get to do that’s fun, like field days or community days,” she said.
Students are asked to walk or jog around the loop at the elementary school as many times as they can during a one-hour time span. Kindergarten began first, with first and second following. The fundraiser has been going on for about ten years.
Due to COVID restrictions, only staff and the PTSO were able to volunteer for the race portion of the event.
“They are running with masks this year and obviously have to stay six feet apart,” said Wolf, when commenting on the changes from last year to this year. “Originally, we planned for the fall, but because were in a substantial category, it got moved to the spring. We used to have 22 volunteers, but now we only have the teachers to help the four of us (PTSO officers).”
Wolf, along with the other PTSO officer, Michelle Ayers, Kate Brown, and Sara Haflett were present for the event.
They assisted the teachers in blowing bubbles and silly string and saying words of encouragement to keep the already happy students going. Music was played during the event and Wolf even had challenges for the children, such as walking backwards or hopping, to keep them entertained.
Right now the link on the Troy Area School District website to donate is not working, but checks may be written to WRC PTSO and mailed or sent into the school at 317 Canton Street, Troy, PA 16947.
“The kids money will follow them in the next few years (whatever they cant use this year due to covid),” said Wolf. “These kids work hard behind the scenes collecting labels, and winning prizes.”
“A special thank you to Mrs. Pam Curren for all of her help with the prep on race day,” said Wolf.
Pump and pantry donated all the water for the kids and many businesses donated as well as families.