Central Park Elementary students continued a holiday tradition, and the Plantation school raised more than $40,000 in the process.
The students and teachers participated in their 3rd annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Fund Run, trotting around the back parking lot at the school dressed in festive gear. Josh Stern, the owner of Split Second Timing race company, provided a colorful finish line, similar to what bigger races deploy.
All grades, Kindergarten thru 5th grade, spent 30 minutes each circling the course as Plantation PTA members and volunteers handed out frozen ice pops, water, and cheered the students along while listening to DJ Dean play their favorite songs.
More than 700 students registered online for the fundraiser, creating pages to share via social media that then garnered donations to help the school’s PTA. The PTA organizes countless events and programs throughout the year, as well as provides school equipment, books, supplies, and technology including laptops and much more to CPE.
This year, the top fund-raisers received prizes, including an Echo Show kids edition, 13,000 Robux and were eligible for a raffle for a family jet ski adventure. Central Park students weren’t the only ones who could receive prizes. The teachers with the highest daily donations were awarded prizes for the entire week. The Top 12 students received a special surprise this year. They were called out of class to spray Assistant Principal Jennifer Kinggard and new Principal Lori Turner with silly string.
The PTA has 50 active members and newly inducted President, Jennifer Simon is thrilled about how the event turned out and so grateful for all of the amazing families who donated. The amount raised can truly make a difference.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital sponsored the event for the second year in a row, with help also coming from various local companies like Coldwell Banker Realty, Fresh Market, Sign Gypsies, and Ft. Lauderdale Watersports. The PTA is already planning next year’s event and cannot wait to Trot for Technology in 2023!
