What started as a community project four years ago for one class at the Bucyrus Elementary School has become a school-wide fundraiser in the fight against breast cancer. The Redmen for the Cure Walk, to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, will be held at the Bucyrus Elementary School May 17.

The first year, third grade students walked for an hour and a half. Now, the entire school is involved, and each year there is more motivation because they are honoring breast cancer survivor and elementary teacher Mrs. Cathy Green.

“Since the second year, we have opened this event to the entire Elementary School,” first-grade teacher Lori Rister said. “Now, the walk has become a daylong event.”

Since the start of the Redmen Walk for the Cure, students and staff have raised over $13,000 for the Komen Foundation. Monies are raised through a myriad of different activities.

“Part of the money is raised through a t-shirt sale,” Rister said. “The rest of the money comes from donations collected by the students and their families.”

In addition to the parents, the tremendous community support for this student and staff initiated fundraiser is something not lost on Elementary School Principal Erica Dietzel.

“It is great that this community is so supportive of this event,” Dietzel said. “We can not thank them enough for their support of, and donations to, the Komen Foundation and Bucyrus Elementary School.”

Community members can contribute to the event by writing a check payable to Komen Columbus and dropping it off at the Elementary School during school hours. For more information about the Redmen for the Cure Walk, please contact Lori Rister at 419-562-6089 or email [email protected].