Photos from O’Neill, Whittier and Lester
District 58 schools united to raise money for the St. Baldrick Foundation, a non-profit that supports childhood cancer research. Together, District 58 raised about $13,500! Thank you for your efforts! This community fundraiser was organized by the O’Neill Science Department’s collaboration with cancer awareness.
Of that amount, O’Neill Middle School raised an incredible $11,695.95. To celebrate, the school hosted a fun afternoon assembly on Friday, March 17. The assembly started off with a moving speech by Brenna, a current O’Neill student, who defeated cancer as a young child. Afterward, O’Neill announced that the school not only achieved their fundraising goal of $5,200, they smashed it, raising $11,695.95!
The top fundraiser donors won the opportunity to literally “pie” their teachers in the face. O’Neill teachers Dr. Meg Van Dyke, Mr. M. Kyle Rennels and Mr. Bobby Mueller each lost a bet to students and had their heads shaved. Finally, the top-earning classrooms — Dr. Van Dyke’s eighth period class and Mrs. Sarah Pinkus’s second period class — won a silly string war in the O’Neill courtyard.
In addition to O’Neill’s efforts, many other schools held fundraisers as well. Several Student Councils sold bracelets, shamrocks, pencils and other small items, with all proceeds benefiting St. Baldrick’s. Many schools also invited staff to pay $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans for the week.
Finally, an online District 58 fundraiser brought in about 60 donations from District 58 staff, families and community members. Want to be part of District 58’s St. Baldrick’s effort? The online fundraiser is still open and accepting donations!
Thank you for your generosity, District 58!