Teens raise $50K for local schools with ‘Lace Up for Learning’ running event
By Denzen Cortez
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FOLSOM, California (KCRA) — A group of Vista del Lago High School sophomores in Folsom has raised more than $50,000 for local classrooms through a running fundraiser they created in middle school.
The students Asher Chang, Minho Kim, Rocco Jerwers, Jack Armstrong and Landon Simpson organize the event called Lace Up for Learning, which includes a 5K, 10K and a kids fun run.
The five have been friends since sixth grade and share a passion for running, competing together in track and cross country. Organizers say the fundraiser began as an idea Chang had in eighth grade to give back to classrooms in need, and the group worked together to bring it to life.
“We offer a 5K, 10K and kids fun run. It’s created by the five of us,” Chang said.
The fundraiser supports teacher-requested classroom needs across the Sacramento region through the DonorsChoose platform, which allows organizers to select specific projects to fund.
“We donate all the proceeds through a platform called DonorsChoose, which allows us to select which teachers to donate to across schools across Sacramento,” Chang said. “We support things like calculators, Chromebook chargers and school libraries. We support a wide variety of requests.”
This year marked the third event, with more than 200 participants and a fundraising goal of $20,000. As of race day, organizers said they were close to reaching that goal.
Participants said the event helps support teachers, who often pay for classroom supplies out of pocket, while also teaching students the importance of giving back.
Parents of the organizers said they have seen the fundraiser grow each year and praised the group’s commitment to supporting their community.
Those who would like to donate or support classroom projects can do so by visiting the Lace Up for Learning website.
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