DHAHRAN, 16 February 2003 — “It’s a healthy character building activity, linking mind and body,” said Eleanor Chamberlain, a second grade teacher, when describing the annual walk-a-thon held at the Dhahran Elementary/Middle School.
This is the 11th year that the school and its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) have organized the charitable event. Students, teachers and members of the community were all welcome to participate.
The idea is that participants walk or run around a one-and-half kilometer circle as many times as possible in an hour. Participants then return to individuals who have agreed to sponsor them and collect the money, which is then donated to charity.
Coca Cola Bottling of Saudi Arabia and Tamimi were the corporate sponsors.
According to Bruce Hudson, the School principal, approximately 300 students plus teachers and community members participated in the walk-a-thon. The charities to be supported were selected in advance. The Orphans’ Sponsor Committee of the Qatif Charitable Society is one of the beneficiaries. The money donated to this organization helps families in the Qatif area who have lost their fathers and who rely on the Qatif Charitable Society for food and clothing.
Financial assistance will also be given to the Magady family, an expatriate family, which lost its father when his car struck a camel. His daughter, a seventh grade student, was paralyzed in the accident. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a trust fund to help with the Magady daughter’s rehabilitation expenses.
The third beneficiary is the school’s own technology program. Funds from the event, plus company donations, will be combined to improve overall information technology resources at the school.
“The students go around to community members before the walk-a-thon and describe the project. They ask people to sponsor them — either a sum for simply participating or a certain agreed-upon sum per lap. We actually encourage the latter because it encourages the students to try harder in the event. Some students do three laps while some have done up to eight. It’s a way for the community to participate in a school project,” said Hudson.
“We appreciate the students’ enthusiasm. This activity is fun but the students know they are doing good for others. That’s an excellent motivation. It’s important to remember that education in not just in the classroom; it’s also out in the community, helping others.”
At the event, the students looked as if they were enjoying themselves. One two-year-old said that she’d already run around the track several times. She couldn’t wait to collect her earnings from her parents. Older students were more down-to-earth.
Ralph Bahous, aged nine, said that this was the fourth time he had participated. Twelve year-old Amr El Awadly found that the walk-a-thon made him feel good.
“I like describing the event to the people who sponsor me. It’s a really great, kind idea. These people need help and we’re doing our best to give them some.”
In a few weeks, when the pledged money has been collected, a representative from the Qatif Charitable Society and an administrator for the Magady Trust Fund will come to the school.
They will make presentations on how the money will be used so that students can see exactly what their good work will achieve.”
Eleanor Chamberlain concluded, “Our students lead privileged lives and it is important for them to understand that. During these charity activities teachers and parents work very hard to help students learn the essential lesson that with great privilege comes great responsibility. Our students’ enthusiastic participation in this walk-a-thon shows that this lesson has been learned.”
