Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Helping with decorations for Saratoga School's annual Pumpkin Walk carnival are Adriana Pak (back), Matthew Borgia (center) and Ashley Overhouse. The event takes place Oct. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the school.

Autumn leaves announce coming school fundraisers

By Michelle Alaimo

It's that time of year when a chill is in the air, leaves are changing color and many schools are beginning their fall fundraisers.

Some of the events help raise thousands of dollars for the schools.

Blue Hills Elementary School, which held its biennial walk-a-thon and pumpkin fest on Oct. 14, hopes this year's events exceed $30,000, the largest amount raised at the events in the past.

Many of the schools' pumpkin fests incorporate silent auctions for which students have made theme baskets full of goodies to sell along with other donated items. While all the different Saratoga schools' events help raise money to purchase items such as computers and playground equipment, the atmosphere is kept fun for the kids with lots of prizes and games.

Argonaut: Argonaut School stages "Around the World in 60 Minutes," a walk-a-thon, on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nearly 600 youngsters are expected to participate and will make laps around the school's field. As the children pass certain checkpoints designed to represent countries--complete with music and volunteers dressed in costumes--their "passport" will be punched by representatives from each "country."

In typical walk-a-thon fashion, the children have collected a list of sponsors who pay a certain amount for each lap finished or an overall fixed amount. Rose Baden, Argonaut School's PTA coordinator for the event, says the PTA hopes to raise $29,000.

Foothill: Foothill School is also holding a walk-a-thon. The school's PTA is holding a "Dolphins Walk with Heart" walk-a-thon on Oct. 17 during school hours. Youngsters will also makes laps around Foothill's field. Money raised will be used to support school programs such as the library and art docent program assemblies. The school will also give out prizes and hold a lottery in every classroom so all children have a chance of winning.

Saratoga: Saratoga's Oak Street School greets the fall with its annual Pumpkin Walk, a carnival, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature a haunted house, games, baked goods and more.

Money raised from the PTA event will be used for future school activities. Diana Overhouse is organizing the event for the PTA.

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