GC students raise money for Special Olympics

GRUNDY CENTER - Earlier this month, a group of students set up shop selling lemonade in front of the Landmark Bistro to raise money for uniforms for the Grundy Center School District’s Special Olympics team.
 
The students raised $545 thanks to the support of the community.
 
The four students - Robbie Bischoff, Emily Craig, Josie Van Nice and Jamie Hindman - are all in Middle School/High School Special Education instructor Sarah Dier’s class, and are all planning to take part in the Northeast Iowa Special Olympics competition this year.
 
Dier says it was the students’ idea to do a lemonade stand to raise money for the uniforms, which the class is designing themselves and they will be printed through Cornfed Designs.
 
“It was the students’ idea to do a lemonade stand, and we really want to thank Jill [Krausman] for letting us do it outside of The Landmark,” she said. “We also want to thank the community, everyone was so awesome and supportive, and we can’t thank them enough for helping us reach our goal. I think it was also a really good opportunity for the kids to get out in the community, and to learn different life skills, like the fact that you need to work to have money to get what you want.”
 
Not only did the students raise enough money for new shirts, but they also have some money left over to buy equipment and pay for gas to travel to the different olympic events.
 
Dier says this is only the second year that Grundy Center has participated in the Special Olympics; students will be focusing on bowling, basketball and track and field.
 
“Last year is when we put it together, and that was the first time we ever did Special Olympics here,” she said. “It’s a great program because it offers students the chance to be with other kids and be part of a team and compete. It’s also a great confidence builder and it makes them really proud.”
 
For the full story, see this week's Grundy Register. Subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958 or clicking here.