Local Students to Walk, Raise Funds for Diabetes

Zitzman, Nike and Robertsville elementary students are going the distance to help find a cure for diabetes by participating in Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Kids Walk program, according to Keith Orris, Zitzman coach and physical education teacher.

Students in the three schools will participate in a walk Friday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Zitzman parking lot.

An obstacle course will be set up for children and several door prizes will be given away throughout the evening.

Everyone from the community is invited and encouraged to participate in the walk.

JDRF volunteers visited all the elementary schools and educated students about diabetes and its effect on children. The volunteers also discussed the importance of a healthy lifestyle, which is a key to preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Participating students are raising money for approximately three weeks by selling symbolic shoes, representing the walk, which are displayed throughout the school.

“The JDRF Kids Walk Program is great fun for the students,” Orris said. “We have loud music out there and it gets crazy.”

Students who raise $10 or more earn incentive prizes, while schools raising a total of $1,000 or more receive a banner to display. Zitzman earned the $1,000 banner last year.

JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. The organization was founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes and is the world’s largest charitable funder and advocate of Type 1 diabetes research, responsible for more than $1 billion in direct funding.

Those interested in participating in JDRF’s Kids Walk program should contact Keith Orris at Zitzman Elementary at 636-271-1440 or e-mail korris@mvr3.k12.mo.us.