Moving minds, raising funds

Saratoga Elementary School (SES) kicked off their 2nd Annual Health Moves Minds initiative on February 1 with the goal of raising money for a local charity.

Last year, SES began working with the National Health and Physical Education Society to bring Health Moves Minds to the school with the initiative fulfilling a main component of the health curriculum by focusing on social emotional learning, or SEL. In addition to resources offered by the Health Moves Minds initiative, a fundraising component allows students to give back to their school and community.

In 2020, SES raised $3,145 with $1,800 given back in the form of a gift card to purchase new physical education equipment. Additionally, SES was in the top 10 for fundraising in the United States and was No. 1 in Wyoming.

This year, the elementary school made the decision to also donate to a local charity with half of the money raised going to that charity and half used by SES for equipment purchases. Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department was chosen as the charity for 2021.

“With the many ways that our local fire department contributes to our community, this was a perfect way to give back to them,” read a press release from SES.

While, last year, elementary students were encouraged to go door-to-door to raise money, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to changes in fundraising. SES students will have been sent home with fundraising envelopes on Monday and will be reaching out to fundraise through phone or mail. 

This year, SES is greatly encouraging community involvement in fundraising and, if someone has not been contacted by an elementary student, they are encouraged to contact their favorite SES student or SES Secretary Tammy Lincoln at 307-326-8365. Donations can also be mailed to:

Saratoga Elementary School

P.O. Box 1590

Saratoga, WY 82331.

Those wishing to donate online can do so by visiting http://impact.shapeamerica.org/goto/saratoga-elementary.