Patwin Elementary School is getting ready to “Walk Patwin Style!” at its eighth annual Walkathon and Silent Auction on Saturday, April 27. The Walkathon is the school’s primary fundraiser and organizers hope to collect more than $20,000 this year.

“It’s a great opportunity for staff, teachers, students and their families to come together to support our school,” said Grace DeMasi, event chairwoman. “Every year it just gets bigger and better. This year we have worked extra hard to have entertainment for all ages, in hopes of getting a greater turn out. As it looks now, we should have more attendees than years past.”

The Walkathon, this year themed, “Walk Patwin Style,” will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Patwin, 2222 Shasta Drive. Walkers will loop a quarter-mile course that takes them from campus to the Arroyo Pool area and back. Principal Nikki Smith and the Patwin staff will be on hand to cheer on the students as they do their walkathon laps. On campus there will be a variety of entertainment. The Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh and Baciarini’s Martial Arts Demonstration Team are scheduled to perform. There will also be free face painting along with the Patwin student’s favorite, a cake walk. And back by popular demand from last year a dunk tank.

Patwin students look forward to this event all year. Fifth-grade student Anla Bolkan said: “I love the walkathon but my favorite part is the cake walk. It is so fun to see all the great cakes that people make.”

Sixth-grader Grace Hickerson agrees, but added: “I am most excited about the dunk tank. I plan to dunk some of my favorite teachers.”

Event chairwoman DeMasi said: “It makes it that much better to be able to earn much-needed funds for our school while everyone is having a great time.”

The Patwin students are not the only ones who have a great time at the event. The entire Patwin community comes out to celebrate.

While the kids are enjoying the fun-filled activities, the parents can browse through and bid on the amazing items at the Silent Auction. The auction will be open for bidding from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, and on Saturday, Walkathon day, from 10 a.m. to noon.

All Walkathon and Silent Auction proceeds will be routed through the school’s PTA to directly support Patwin students. There are so many crucial services that wouldn’t happen without these funds such as providing counseling support, parent education and supplementing the small budget our teachers have to work with. The Walkathon donations help provide the funding needed for the PTA to help support our students, staff and parents. This year, one of Patwin PTA’s goals is to focus on technology and updating the equipment our student’s use, especially in the outdated computer lab.

“Every little amount helps,” Jennifer Chapman, co-PTA president said. “I like the fact that our Walkathon represents our school philosophy, this day is about inclusiveness. Patwin has a strong sense of community and this fun day is open to everyone, it truly is more than just a fundraiser.”

While the event is primarily for the students and their families, DeMasi said anyone can come walk, enjoy the festivities, and hang out with the Patwin crowd.

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