Skyline Elementary ‘sticks together for Lukas’
It started with a simple click on a Web page online.
A 10-day fundraising effort dubbed “Skyline sticks together for Lukas” followed. The goal was to raise money to help a schoolmate’s family burdened by costs associated with medical treatments for Lukas, a kindergarten student diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.
The fun part of the drive came when Skyline Elementary School principal Chuck Vilardi and assistant principal Chris Cann agreed to be duct-taped to a wall, which took place Wednesday morning.
“It was a great way to get the kids involved,” said third grade National Honor Society class teacher Jessica Chaffee, whose class spearheaded the fundraising. “It’s been just amazing. The goal was to raise $1,000, but in 10 days we have raised $2,000.”
Only a few elementary schools offer a National Honor Society program. Chaffee’s class got the entire school involved in doing chores and other activities to raise funds. Some students convinced their parents to donate something instead of giving them another Christmas present.
“We teach leadership at Skyline,” said third grade teacher Beth Williamson. “We teach the students to think beyond themselves to help others. Lukas’ dad works hard while his mom stays with Lukas and that makes it hard to pay bills.”
Lukas and his parents were not able to attend the duct-taping ceremony because Lukas is back in the hospital.
Lukas’ kindergarten teacher Sabrina Long has opened an account at Wells Fargo Bank and a GoFundMe account online for donations to the family.
Before lining up to “stick it to the principals” the students chanted “Lukas, Lukas, Lukas” for several minutes.
“I’ve never been duct-taped before,” Vilardi told students before being attached to the wall. “It’s all for Lukas.”