A Boosterthon team member gives students the signal to start the run. | Brent Maze

Boosterthon helps schools raise money, gives students good workout

Students are running, walking and even dancing while helping their school and get some exercise.

That’s all a part of F.E. Burleson Elementary School’s Boosterthon fundraiser Thursday morning.

Burleson Elementary principal Sherry Calvert said this was the second year the school participated in the fun run.

“It’s something our students look forward to every year,” Calvert said. “It’s a fundraiser for our (Parent Teacher Organization) and every student gets to participate whether they are able to get sponsors or not.”

Mandy Barley, the PTO president, said the students have a lot fun participating in the event.

“It’s a lot of fun for everyone involved,” Barley said. “They make it fun and they get some exercise.”

The students are challenged to complete 35 laps in the short program in the gym. If they complete all 35 laps, the students will have run about two miles.

Calvert said some of the sponsors would pay a flat donation, while others will give so much per lap. The final proceeds of the run were not immediately available as of Thursday afternoon.

According to its website, the Boosterthon fun run team provides a fun, healthy alternative to sales-driven fundraisers. It was originally founded in Birmingham and is now based out of Atlanta, Ga.

Other Hartselle City Schools will be participating in Boosterthon fun runs throughout the year.