Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/5/2015
EAST LONGMEADOW – Inspired by a pair of students who deal with the condition every day, students at Mountain View School are doing what they can to help stamp out diabetes.
Sue Thomas, school nurse, explained now until June 12, student would request donations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as part of a school-wide initiative.
“We have two students here with diabetes and we have a student leadership group called the Pioneers who have played a big part in this,” she said. “Every year, we talk about community outreach and what we can do to help others. In the past, we’ve collected presents for kids [through Toys for Tots], and participated in Pennies for Patients [for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society]. This year, we though this would be a really important thing to do because it hits close to home.
“There are two messages – we want to find a cure and the money we raise goes to make life easier for those with diabetes,” she added.
Thomas said the fundraiser, through which students will collect donations in exchange for paper shoes that will be displayed with the donor’s name on it, has been supported by JDRF, which has helped immensely with the educational aspect of the program.
“JDRF has been great in providing guidance and information and helped us put on an all-school assembly,” she said. “The two students with diabetes and the sister of one of the students actually participated in the presentation by putting together and presenting a PowerPoint all on their own.”
Similar fundraisers have been met with enthusiasm by the school community and this one is no different, Thomas noted.
“The kids and parents have exhibited so much generosity and the kids really get excited for this stuff,” she said.
The fundraising effort will culminate with a celebration of the students’ efforts at a mile-long walk during which students in each grade will have the opportunity to learn more information about diabetes. At the end of the walk, students will have the opportunity to take a quiz on what they learned with prizes.
“It’s a fun morning after the hard work of fundraising,” Thomas said. “With all grades and all classrooms participating, there’s a sense of accomplishment and togetherness.”
To learn more about the fundraising effort, contact Thomas at 525-5490 or susan.thomas@eastlongmeadowma.gov.
For more information on JDRF’s work in this area, visit the North Central Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Chapter’s website at http://ctma.jdrf.org.