2.3 Cheverus - burke

Thread: Personal

Subgroup: Community

Foci: School Community

Program Title: Stag Stampede Walk-a-Thon

Contact Person/Office: MaryEllen Fitzpatrick , Special Events Coordinator

Program Description: A walk-a-thon coordinated by the Development Office, parent volunteers, and supported with monetary pledges collected by students to support the school’s scholarship fund.

Rationale: The walk-a-thon engages the entire school community in order to support those students who confront a difficult economic reality. Students, teachers, staff and parents are involved in providing for those in need of financial assistance while engaging in a 4 mile walk around Back Cove.

Leadership: The Development Office coordinates all aspects of this event with the Academic Administration.

Implementation: The program was implemented by the Development Office several years ago and the Special Events Coordinator manages all organizational aspects of the events.

Processes and Resources: The Special Events Coordinator recruits corporate sponsors, creates hype for student pledge collection, and deals with the logistics for carrying out the event.

Finances: Each student is provided with a t-shirt ($4) and a lunch ($5 per person). This cost is usually absorbed by corporate sponsors/donations.

Rewards: Individual prizes are provided to the person who collects the largest sum of money in pledges and the grade level which collects the most amount of money receives a dress down day and ice cream sundaes. The reward for building community, shared responsibility and awareness is priceless.

Time (When/Length): Organization of the program begins a year in advance but really heats up when school begins the day after Labor Day. The event itself lasts about three hours and requires an early release from school at noon.

Location (Space): The program takes place on the school’s athletic fields and on a 3.5 mile walking path maintained by the City of Portland. Three water stops are set-up along the walking path.

Accountability/Assessment: A debriefing event is held following the event and each year the total amount of pledges increases.