Walk-a-Thon raises funds for pool upkeep

The ninth annual Friends of the Pool (FOP) Walk-a-Thon was held Saturday, April 26, and has raised over $2,500 as of Tuesday. A total of 59 walkers collected pledges. Most of them were school-aged children, but participants ranged in age from one year old to adults who took advantage of the fresh air and exercise.

The pledge walkers walked or ran a total of 925 laps around the track at Finney field for a total of 231.25 miles or an average of more than 3.5 miles per person. Total laps walked or run by all is down from last year by 321 laps. Odessa fifth-grader Tim DeWulf ran the most laps of the walk-a-thon with 35 laps or 8.75 miles.

All the children who signed up to take part in the walk-a-thon received a T-shirt and a prize at the start. In all, $600 in prizes were distributed randomly during the event, along with cupcakes to celebrate birthdays and Otter Pops to cool the kids down and give them a break if needed. At the end of the walk-a-thon, a necklace was given to each participate with a foot symbolizing each lap they completed.

Businesses and community members who donated cash or prizes for the walk-a-thon had their names or logos printed on the back of the event T-shirt (32 names and logos in all). The front of the shirt featured a Duck Dynasty theme this year, designed by Danielle Hardung of the FOP. Most prizes were camoflage-themed as well. The grand prize this year included Beats headphones and a Duck Dynasty gift basket. The FOP will announce the grand prize winner next week.

At each grade level a child was recognized for completing the most laps walked. They were Leah Claassen in the pre-Kindergarten group, Aiden Schmierer in the Kindergarten group, Holden Iverson in the first-grade group, Jacob Scrupps in the second-grade group, Isaiah Chavez for the third-grade group, Emily Scrupps in the fourth-grade group, Tim DeWulf in the fifth-grade group, Jordan Ford in the sixth-grade group and Justin Reninger in the seventh-grade group. Each received a $10 concession card to use at the pool this summer. Special mention this year goes to special-ed students Mariah Thorne and Megan Stahl, in ninth and 12th grade, respectively, who walked with school paraprofessional educator Nancy Glines and completed over 12 laps each.

Each child was assured of at least one prize the day of the walk-a-thon. The planning committee for the event included FOP president Suzie Deife and Lindsy Starkel, Danielle Hardung, Carmen Weishaar, Cory Carstensen, Rebecca Maddock, Deanna Lobe, April Steward and Kamie Iverson.

Prior to the event, Hardung and Deife visited the elementary school to talk about the walk-a-thon and to encourage participation by the children.

The date of this year's event, normally held on the Sunday of Spring Fling, was changed to Saturday so that families could participate both in the walk-a-thon and in the Race for the Cure that was held in Spokane on Sunday afternoon. The FOP will evaluate attendance and determine whether or not to continue holding the walk-a-thon on Saturday or return it to Sunday next year.

The funds raised by the children through the walk-a-thon will go toward repairing the deteriorating concrete of the pools, which must be completed by the start of the swim season due to regulations. The FOP will once again supplement the cost of swimming lessons by donating all food snacks and drinks for sale at the pool.