Monday, April 3rd 2017
BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — St. Clairsville's fundraiser for Parkinson's disease is breaking last year's record -- by a lot.
They’ve raised more than $2,000 than last year, and with another raffle yet to wrap up, organizers are expecting more than $11,000 in total.
St. Clairsville Elementary second grade teacher Josh Shutler was inspired to start a fundraiser for Parkinson's disease 5 years ago after someone close to him was diagnosed with the illness.
"You realize there is no cure for it, and you kind of feel helpless,” Shutler said. “I wanted to do something to help, so we came up with the idea of the spelling bee and we challenge kids to collect pledges and then we have three spelling bees."
Money generated from the fundraisers is donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Shutler says students are having fun competing in spelling bees, while making a difference -- all in the name of a worthy cause.
“They love the spelling aspect about challenging themselves, and they really compete to see who the winner is,” Shutler said. “And also, we’re really letting them know that their money is making a difference, and that they can make a difference in the world."
Fourth grader McKenna Miller and second grader Kassie Balog are both spelling bee champions.
Miller won on “meteorologist,” and Balog won with “services.”
"Our community, our staff, our faculty … anytime something happens in our district with a student, whether it be a student’s illness or a fire, anything like that, our district is more than willing to help," Shutler said.
The Michael J. Fox foundation has reached out to Shulter. The website plans to write a special blog on St. Clairsville's efforts in the future.
Video: http://wtov9.com/news/local/st-clairsville-elementary-raising-money-for-parkinsons-disease-through-spelling
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