Washburn sets record for fund-raising

    WASHBURN, Maine — For the 23 consecutive year, Washburn District Elementary School participated in the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs. 158 students in grades 1-8 raised money for the American Heart Association and this year saw an all-time high of $12,000. The 23-year total is now at an amazing $119,793.64.
    The fund-raisers for Jump Rope for Heart were Mallory Martin and Phillip Helton. Olivia Doody was the top fund-raiser for Hoops for Heart. Each participant was awarded prizes this year, which include jump ropes, T-shirts, basketballs, sports bottles, voice changers, stunt copters, swim radios and pump rockets. At the end-of-year school assembly, students that raised $50 or more will have an opportunity to win a mountain bike, view a Power Point presentation and receive their prizes. Another incentive this year for the 42 students in grades 1-4 who raised over $75 is an afternoon of a movie, snacks and free gym time. The 30 students in grades 5-8, who raised at least $125, earned an overnighter.
All participants who raised $150 or more will have their name placed in a drawing to win a free trip for four to Walk Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  Those who will be entered for the drawing are: Mykayla Espling, Shanae Burtt, Phillip Helton, Adriana Arribas, Devin Thompson, Taylor Skinner, Nick Levesque, Mallory Martin, Tanya Tarbox and Tim MacDonald.
The physical education department also benefits from participating in the program, as they will receive a $500 gift certificate for the purchase of physical education equipment.
Laura Gardiner, the school’s physical education instructor, coordinates the event and wishes to thank the administration, staff, and community members for their continued support of the students and the program.