For the sixth year, students from Bailey Bridge Middle School participated in Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Change for Children campaign, raising $3,740 through a new Den Dash 5K event. Their efforts earned the school top fundraising honors for this year’s Change for Children campaign. Since they began participating, students have raised more than $11,129 for the Foundation.

Nearly 1,200 students and staff from Bailey Bridge Middle School participated in the school’s inaugural Den Dash 5K, which raised $3,740 for Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Change for Children campaign

Students from Bailey Bridge’s Student Council Association got involved with the Change for Children campaign in 2011 after Ben Millefolie, the son of one of the school’s staff members, was treated for cancer at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR). Ben was later recognized as Virginia’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for his support and fundraising for CHoR. Over the years, Bailey Bridge has had additional families and faculty members with personal connections to CHoR.
 

“Bailey Bridge and its Student Council Association love to know that when we raise money here at school, it makes a local impact by going directly towards helping children and families in our own community,” said Amanda Boor, SCA sponsor. “Each year, we have been blessed to be able to increase the size and impact of our donation.”

Fundraising efforts have included a Penny Wars collection, events where students donate to earn a chance to “pie” a teacher, and this year, the Den Dash 5K, where 1,191 students and faculty made donations to participate. Amanda said the idea for the April event originated from the school’s Wellness Council. Since the school’s mascot is a bear, and classrooms are called dens, coming up with the event name was easy.

“Students loved the event,” Amanda said, “The Den Dash 5K encouraged generosity, fellowship and wellness in all our little bear cubs.”

Congratulations to these Schools

During the 2016-2017 school year, local schools raised over $33,000 for Children's Hospital Foundation (CHF) through the Change for Children campaign. The CHF Senior Board manages this campaign and recruited 50 local schools, making this year's fundraiser the largest yet.

The top 5 fundraising schools were:

• Bailey Bridge Middle - $3,740
• Shady Grove Elementary - $2,399
• George Watkins Elementary - $2,200
• JEJ Moore Middle - $1,775
• Greenfield Elementary - $1,560

Happy Participation Anniversary

• St. Bridget’s - 15 years, raising $915 this year and $10,777 in total.
• Chickahominy Middle - 5 years, raising $746 this year and $3,487 in total.
• Rural Point Elementary - 5 years, raising $735 this year and $1,911 in total