Many parents have asked a lot of the same questions, so hopefully, this WALK-A-THON FAQ will help clarify the event.
What Is Walk-A-Thon?
The SMOS Walk-A-Thon is a half-day of fun for the whole family – and the largest annual fundraiser held by the school. It’s held every year in Tower Grove Park at the Old Playground Pavilion. Every school family and student is expected to participate to reach our $20,000 goal – basically that works out to be almost $50 per child in pledges! It runs from roughly 8am to 1pm. There are snacks, candy, hot dogs, and drinks sold during the event.
Does My Student Need To Be There From 8 AM – 1 PM?
No, come when you can and stay as long as you want. Some students choose to have family and friends pledge them per mile, so the longer they are there, the farther they can walk. Many students also like to set a goal for themselves such as walking 5, 10, 15, or more miles depending on age. Plus, there are competitions between the classes for participation, distance, etc. – all with some serious bragging rights (and a prize!), which I’m sure you’ll start hearing about from your child.
How Do We Donate?
Students can collect pledges in one of two ways – all of which can be made through WeShare or paid via cash or check (made out to SMOS) submitted to the School office. It’s up to your family depending on what you prefer – Students can ask donors to pledge a dollar amount per mile walked – any dollar amount they choose (like $20/mile) – and then afterward they would report what they walked so donors can make their donation from there. OR Students can just ask for a flat-out donation (say $50 in total) for walking in the event. So, get ready to hit up Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Charlie to collect their pledges/donations! (And families who don’t have relatives or friends to hit up – or don’t feel comfortable doing so – can just make a family donation to support the school and their kids’ efforts that day.)
How Can I Help?
And as with all things St. Margaret, we need your help! Parent volunteers are the heart of all fundraising at SMOS, so please be on the lookout for the volunteer form to sign up for a time slot to assist us in pulling off this event smoothly.
