Skipathon merges service, fundraising

Finding the right balance of fundraising and service in a single project is like hitting the jackpot. The Key Club of Lakeside Academy, Lachine, Québec, did just that with its skipathon benefiting the Quebec Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The project attracted 320 elementary students who each collected pledges in preparation for the big event. On the day of the skipathon, participants were divided up into groups around the schoolyard, and each group played a different rope-skipping game. Every 30 minutes the supervising Key Club members mixed the groups so each had the opportunity to play a different game.

The project raised CDN$4,870 for the foundation, but just as importantly, it educated the youngsters involved about the importance of a healthy lifestyle—including plenty of exercise.