Numbers add up for a good cause at Central School’s Math-a-Thon

PARK HILLS – Central West Elementary recently raised $5,777.01 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The local school held a Math-a-Thon to raise funds for the cause.

A Math-a-Thon is an educationally based fund-raising program in which students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed on CDs or workbooks provided for the students in grades K-9. The program is sponsored nationally by Six Flags Theme Parks who provide free tickets to their parks for every student raising $35 or more.

Students who participate in the program learn to do more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves.

“We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon,” said Lisa Short, a volunteer coordinator. “With their help, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be able to create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer. I also want to extend our thanks to the Park Hills community for their support of our students.”

Top students in the fund-raiser included D.J. Hardy, Ayla Partridge, Amanda DuVall, Stephanie Whited, Kimberly Black and Victoria Metcalf.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded by Danny Thomas in Memphis, Tenn. The hospital is an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic childhood diseases. The hospital’s work is supported through funds raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC). ALSAC covers all costs not covered by insurance; families without insurance are never asked to pay.