It’s said “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
La Fetra Elementary School students did just that in September to raise donations for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. It was all part of the Glendora School District’s Go Gold Program, started last year to raise awareness for children in the district battling cancer.
Karine Smith took the experiences of her son Cale, who battled and beat childhood cancer last year, and turned them into an educational experience for his classmates with an awareness campaign last month.
Students presenting the check for over two thousand dollars to Children’s Hospital
“Our overall school goal was to ‘Go BOLD 4 GOLD September,’” Smith explained. “Be bold. Act bold … and take awareness and move it into ACTION!”
The campaign opened with a schoolwide assembly to tell students what childhood cancer is, how it affects classmates and the community, as well as how they can support them.
Following the assembly, the first-ever La Fetra Lion Lemonade Stand was opened. Students and parents donated spare change to raise $175 in just one day.
A coin jar named “Change 4 A Cure” was placed in every classroom to collect pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters and more for childhood cancer research. The top three classes that raised the most donations enjoyed a Lemonhead party recently with a VIP guest – a Children’s Hospital therapy dog.
Students came to the cafeteria during lunchtime to create “Kid Kare Cards” for cancer patients at CHLA. Each student pledged support by signing their “paw print” on a huge banner.
Students brought flyers to their families to share several ideas they could do at home, in the community and with friends to help those they know are battling this disease.
Parents and Staff helping with the lemonade stand
By the end of the month, La Fetra Elementary raised $2,054 and presented the check to CHLA’S gift and funding program representatives in honor of Cale Smith. The donation will go toward soft tissue and tumor cancer research.
Participating in the ceremony were fourth-grade students Jordan, who fought leukemia and finished treatment in kindergarten, and Anthony, who finished treatment for leukemia in September.
“The teachers, Principal Mrs. Porcell and parents were super supportive of this first attempt at raising research funds for childhood cancer,” Smith said.
For more information about how to donate to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, visit www.chla.org/donate.
