Van Auken Field continues to move forward, step by step. Students at Central Intermediate School recently held a Penny War to help raise funds for the track and exercise station to be located in the vacant field across from the school.
“The competition got heated as kids do at that age. We were overrun with coins!” CIS Principal Joanne Gahan said. “We could’ve spent 24/7 counting pennies and nickels and bills!”
In just five days, the students raised $5,007. Here’s how the Penny War worked: pennies were counted as positive and silver coins as negative, in the total collection for each class. Students filled milk jugs with coins, putting silver coins in other class’s jugs to create competition for the highest total.
“One of the language arts classrooms also practiced writing business letters and sent them to area businesses requesting money for the project,” Gahan said. Donations from businesses and private donations continue to filter in.
So far, an impressive $8,000 has been collected through the letter requests.
“Having a purposeful cause helps,” Gahan said.
Ribbon cutting is set for May 22 at 1:30 p.m. to kick off the groundbreaking of Van Auken Field. “It will be set it up so kids know where the trail will be and can walk the perimeter of it,” Gahan explained.
There will also be several ways kids can honor Mr. Van Auken at the ribbon cutting, including writing memories of him.
“Teaching was Mr. Van Auken’s passion, not his job. He was 34 years old when he died after a battle with cancer,” Gahan said. Van Auken’s one goal was to finish the year with his students before he passed away in July 2014. He was also an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. “He helped students understand the importance of goal setting.”
Van Auken Field will be located on South Lyman Street and will include a paved running track and fitness stations. “Our hope is to break ground shortly after the ribbon cutting for the project,” Gahan said.
More fundraising events are in the works for Van Auken Field, as the project will cost $30,000. A benefit concert for Van Auken is scheduled for June 20-21 at Tangier in Akron. The June 20 show is sold out but tickets are still available for the June 21 show. Friends of Van Auken’s play in rock bands and are in charge of the fundraiser called Dan-Stravaganza. To purchase tickets, click here: http://www.thetangier.com/entertainment/.
With $13,000 already raised, and an anticipated $10,000 coming from the concerts, the school is confident they’re be able to raise the remainder of the funds needed soon.
A frozen yogurt fundraising night is being planned for mid-May in Wadsworth.
See how you can donate to Van Auken Field here: http://bit.ly/1DJIql9
Previous WCR Coverage:
CIS students have penny war to raise money for Dan Van Auken Field: http://bit.ly/1zcOHJA
