Larson Elementary tiny riders pedal for a big cause

The playground at Larson Elementary was filled with laughter, helmets, and colorful tricycles on April 24, as kindergarten students participated in the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon. The event, a beloved tradition held at schools across the country, helped students learn essential bicycle safety while raising vital funds to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The idea for the kindergarten classes to participate came from Kindergarten teacher Sarah Lamont after attending a conference last summer and meeting with representatives from St. Jude Research Hospital. “It seemed like a great idea, and we thought we would give it a try.”

Lamont says they initially set a goal of $500, and was pleasantly surprised to see that goal surpassed by nearly double. The students raised nearly $1000 for St. Jude.

The Trike-a-Thon provides a fun way to not only teach children about the mission of St. Jude’s, but also instills and encourages participants to grow their empathy skills while learning bike and trike and riding toy safety lessons featuring educational materials designed to teach them about riding safely.

The sound of cheering filled the air on Friday as students put their safety skills into practice, navigating a custom course on everything from scooters to trikes. It was a proud moment for many families, with parents and grandparents rallying to support the young riders. The event was elevated by the support of other classes, fostering a sense of community and school spirit. Parents praised the effort, calling it a fantastic, high-energy event that perfectly highlighted community spirit. "It was nice to see the camaraderie between the teachers and the different classes," said one attending parent, noting the impressive turnout. “This was really cool. I thought it was fun.”

St. Jude Trike-A-Thon is not just a ride; it is a way to support a crucial cause. Thanks to supporters like Larson Elementary, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Since its opening, St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when it opened 60 years ago, to more than 80%.

"We are beyond grateful for the generosity of our Larson Elementary families," said school administrator Kelly O’Malley.

The school would like to thank all the families who registered, donated, and volunteered to cheer on the children.

To learn more about St. Jude, please visit www.stjude.org.