It was at a Pine Tree Elementary School assembly when P.E. teacher Mark Russell laid down the challenge.
‘I told the students if they raised more money than last year’s PTO fundraiser, which was $15,500, I would wear a dress,? said Russell.
The staff, parents, students and community answered Russell’s challenge by raising $17,004 this year.
‘For a little bit of silliness, raising the money for PTO has been more than worth it,? said Russell.
‘We couldn’t find a size 14 in women’s shoes, so Mark didn’t have to wear high heels,? said Kathy Skiba, the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) Treasurer. However, Russell wore barrettes in his hair and nail polish. The top two fundraising boys and girls got to paint Russell’s nails.
Skiba said the money raised will go to pay for field trips, teacher gifts, classroom items, Sunshine Club and helping families in need. She said the money will also be used for their SACC (School Age Child Care) program, a latchkey program for children and to help local families in need during the holidays. Having enough money to fund three free family fun nights this year, Skiba said, will also be a big plus.
‘We have a great base of families at Pine Tree,? said Skiba. ‘It is amazing how much money we raised, especially considering the downturn in the economy right now.?