Footprints students raise funds for St. Jude's

VERNON — The children at the Footprints Montessori School held a Trike-A-Thon fundraiser for St. Jude’s Research Hospital on Wednesday, March 19.

The hospital is well-known for providing cancer treatment to children regardless of their families’ income. Riding a combination of two-, three-, and four-wheeled bikes and scooters, the kids each completed a series of laps for charity.

“Through their research they have increased overall survival rate for pediatric cancers from less than 20 percent to 80 percent today,” school director Bjorg Boschen said.

As a prelude to the race around the community room of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, the 18 students spent a week learning about tricycle, scooter, and bicycle safety and the importance of wearing helmets. They also were taught about the serious situation of children who are very sick and in need of expensive medical treatment.

The school has been in Vernon for 16 years and is located on Route 94 across from Highlands Bank and in the church’s historic parish house. It has a year-round programming offering private kindergarten and daycare services in addition to before and after care for school age children.

Visit the school's website at www.footprintsmontessori.com or call 973-764-1666.