A jumping-powered fundraiser took students from the gym to the food bank for a fun and educational field trip to North Hills Community Outreach in Hampton.
North Allegheny School District’s seven elementary schools have been participating in the seventh annual Jump for the Hills fundraiser, where students raise money over approximately two months for the local nonprofit — and winning prizes for their earnings.
The bigger the pot, the bigger the prize.
For every $100 donated, students were entered into a raffle to be the grand-prize winner, which included the chance to visit NHCO. Two winners from each elementary school were selected for a field trip on either March 27 or April 17, according to the teachers.
The March 27 group got to see firsthand how the money they raised helps others.
“What an awesome day for kids. I hope they can bring some of that energy back of helping people. We love that message: people helping people,” said Dean Boronyak, the health and physical education teacher at Ingomar Elementary School, who also leads the annual fundraiser.
North Allegheny’s Jump for the Hills is the largest fundraiser for NHCO in one single event, said Scott Shaffer, the nonprofit’s executive director.
Shaffer told the children about the organization’s mission of helping local families and individuals, even students just like themselves, by addressing the needs of people in crisis, hardship and poverty in Northern Allegheny County.
“You guys are really making a big difference today. I’m really proud of you. At NHCO, people feel like they’re a part of a mission of helping people,” Shaffer said.
McKnight Elementary School takes the fundraiser a step further by holding a special basketball game, featuring the top 20 earners and staff. This year’s game was April 2. All ticket and related game sales are donated to the NHCO fundraiser.
The Jump for the Hills fundraising period concludes with a fun day of jumping activities at each of the schools for every student. The health and physical education teachers at each school plan and coordinate their school’s jumping day, Boronyak said.
Districtwide, the fundraiser has raised more than $69,000 as of April 2, not including the basketball game.
The physical education teachers, who also attended the field trip with the students, thought the visit would be a great way for students to make a real connection.
“One hundred percent goes to neighbors in need, the people that live down the street. The kids have really bought into this,” said Kurt Zaspel, the physical education teacher at McKnight Elementary School.
The students on the recent field trip appreciated learning how they can help volunteer and help others in need.
“It helps people who can’t afford things,” said Grace LeDonne, an Ingomar fourth grader. “It feels good.”
Anthony DiSilvio, a Peebles third grader, felt the same.
“It’s important to help others that are need, even if they don’t have anything. Give them food, water and give them some money,” he said.
Students also were treated to lunch at Large Plain Pizza in McCandless.
Chris Jackson, a physical education and health teacher at Peebles, appreciates that the money the students raised is going to a place where they can witness the fruit of their efforts.
“It’s about giving back to the local community and being a part of something bigger themselves,” Jackson said.
The students’ effort is just one of several community fundraisers that benefit NHCO.
Tickets are now on sale for the North Hills Community Outreach’s third annual Community BBQ. The barbecue will be from noon to 2 p.m. April 12 at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road, in McCandless. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 4 to 10.
A live music festival, Got It Covered, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. May 17 at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, 103 Slade Lane, in Warrendale. Tickets for this over-21 event are $35.
For tickets and information about upcoming fundraisers, visit nhco.org.