Math-A-Thon Raises More Than $20,000 For Hospital

Top fundraisers Mary Glenn, left, and Bailey Sutton, right, with Math-A-Thon Coordinator and Mathematics Teacher Michele Natali, Ed.D.

Sixth grade students have raised $20,368 in the first round of the Garden City Middle School Fourth Annual Math-A-Thon. The funds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a leading pediatric facility based in Memphis.

"We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon. With their help, St. Jude will create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer," said Mathematics Teacher and Math-A-Thon Coordinator Michele Natali, Ed.D. "I also want to extend our thanks to the Garden City community for supporting our students. It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, and we can all feel proud of our response."

Now in its 28th year, Math-A-Thon is a national, educationally based fundraising program. Students who participate obtain sponsors and raise funds based on the number of problems they solve in a special workbook.

This year's sixth grade Math-A-Thon participants received certificates of appreciation at an awards ceremony held at the Middle School on December 21. Those who raised at least $35 also received a t-shirt and a pass to Six Flags Great Adventure, a national Math-A-Thon sponsor. Those who raised at least $75 received a tote bag. Top fundraisers Mary Glenn, who collected $690, and Bailey Sutton, who collected $610, each received a digital camera.

For participating in the Math-A-Thon, the Middle School received a 20-inch flat-screen television with a DVD/VHS player that immediately became a sixth grade raffle prize. Jenna Muscarella, left, is the lucky winner. Nicole Miesemer won second prize, a digital camera. The raffle raised an additional $430 targeted for the Andy Foundation, an organization that supports programs that foster a healthy, safe, and happy childhood for all children. The foundation honors the life of Andrew Patrick Palmeri, an 11-year-old boy struck and killed by a car in 2003.

"Math-A-Thon participants learn to do more than just solve math problems. They also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves," Dr. Natali said. "Through the Math-A-Thon, they help support ongoing programs at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital."

Children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases find hope at St. Jude. Since its founding in 1962 by the entertainer Danny Thomas, survival rates for most forms of pediatric cancer have risen dramatically. Today more than 70% of all children with cancer survive their bout with the disease. St. Jude fully credits this treatment success to the generosity of people around the world, including the students at the Garden City Middle School and their supporters.

Math-A-thon continues into 2007, as, for the first time, the program is expanded to include 7th and 8th grades. A kickoff assembly for 7th and 8th graders is planned for February 14.