Kenosha middle schoolers walk, raise $24,500 to Make-A-Wish

KENOSHA (WITI) -- On one of the last days of school, hundreds of Kenosha middle schoolers got outside and hit the pavement.  They held a walk-a-thon Monday to help raise money for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

1,100 students from Lance Middle School are walked the track with a distance and a dollar amount in mind.

“20 miles is a goal,” said 7th grader Erin Dillon.

All school year, the 6th, 7th and 8th graders helped raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help make wishes come true for kids with life-threatening medical conditions.

“I personally went door to door and we just asked people for pledge money and people were generous enough to donate to Make-a-Wish,” said 7th grader Thomas.

Monday was the school's celebration, announcing they had raised a total of just over $24,500.  The money will help grant wishes to four children in the Wisconsin area.

“It’s a chance for them to be a kid again, a chance for a family to come back together and brace themselves.  Really, it's spiritual, mental and emotional well-being,” said Make-a-Wish Special Events Manager Andrea Hug.

This is the largest donation a state school has ever made to Make-a-Wish.  As part of the fundraising efforts, at least one student from each team promises to walk at all times, remembering who they're doing this for.

“To make a statement for all the young children out there that have a condition they can't handle,” said Dillon.

“I think it speaks volumes of the community and their parents.  Their eagerness to give and their emphasis on philanthropy in this school,” said Hug.

Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin was able granted a record 325 wishes to children.  Since it was founded in 1984, more than 4,700 wishes have been granted statewide.