Most of these Olympic competitors are under 5 feet tall. Some still need help tying their shoelaces, and until Opening Ceremonies on Sept. 23, they won’t know what sport they are competing in.
This year, Vestavia Hills Elementary Central is holding Central Games, a fundraising campaign with an Olympic theme, Sept. 26-30. Kids will ask friends and family for donations while engaging in physical activities and challenges for the chance to win prizes.
In the past, the school has hired an outside source to aid with fundraising. However, the PTO devised this campaign as a more cost-efficient way to raise funds and give students the chance to participate.
“We have so many talented parents and businesses that will help us,” said Ruth Bean, Vestavia Hills Elementary Central fundraising chairwoman. “I just saw it as an opportunity … It might be a flop, but I really feel like it’s going to be well-received.”
The event will kick off with Opening Ceremonies Sept. 23. Principal Marian Humphries, alongside Assistant Principal Lorie Belski, will bear the Olympic torch, and each class will be assigned a sport.
The community can support the students by visiting the McDonalds on U.S. 31 Sept. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. During that time, 25 percent of the revenue will go to the school.
Students will receive prizes for raising a certain amount of money. For example, for reaching $50, students earn a T-shirt designed by fifth-grader Gibson Bean. Students who raise $100 or more will be entered to win prizes from community donors, and, every day, top-earning classes will have the chance to play video games in the game truck parked outside the school.
“You have to kind of think like a kid when you’re thinking of prizes,” Bean said. “I went to my son’s class, and I said, ‘What do you all want?’ and they wanted things like, to be PE teachers for the day, which is free. And I was like, ‘Done! We can do that!’”
When a class reaches its fundraising goal, money will be deposited in its classroom fund. The teacher will also be entered in a drawing for an individual prize, such as a pass to Iron Tribe Fitness.
“We want teachers to be excited about this and encourage their students,” Bean said.
The Vestavia Hills Soccer Club volunteered to lead PE classes one day, and Bean said she hopes more athletic organizations will do the same to introduce students to different Olympic sports.
The top-earning classrooms and teachers will compete in relay challenges for the chance to win an ice-cream party later that day.
Students will find out which classes raised the most money during Closing Ceremonies Oct. 3. The money raised will go toward new technology and playground equipment.
“I’m just really looking forward to it,” Bean said. “I have a really good team of people, and this makes it fun for the kids. It includes them.”
