Photos by Hope Davis
There was cause for celebration on Thursday at Nancy Hanks Elementary. And just FYI, if you have reason to complain “about these kids today,” you might want to rethink that.
Mrs. Merder’s fourth grade class poses with Garrett Sitzman and his brothers, along with United Cerebral Palsy Association Rep. Mike Froddrill. 
Garrett was laughing at the antics of the photographer taking his photo. 
Mike Froddrill stands with Garrett and his brothers for a picture. 
Mike Froddrill speaking to the students about Cerebral Palsy and informing them how their donation will help. 
Sixth Grader AJ Robinson lets Garrett sit on his lap during the presentation. 
Garrett plays with AJ Robinson’s hair as he is being helped up by his teacher. 
The 4th grade class presents Mike with the check for $2,000 to go towards the purchase of equipment for those with Cerebral Palsy.
Every year, fourth graders at the school try to do something special for Christmas. This year, fourth grader Connor Sitzman suggested fundraising for Celebral Palsy in honor of his little brother, Garrett, who suffers from the debilitating illness and will be a Kindergartener at Nancy Hanks in the fall. The students decided on a lofty goal of $500 for their class, then agreed to open up the fundraising to the entire school. Students made and decorated containers and then took them home over Thanksgiving break to collect donations. Just after the break they had raised about $900.
They kept plugging along until Mrs. Merder’s fourth grade class had raised an astonishing $1,575. Adding what other classes collected, the school raised $2,000 and on Thursday presented a check to Mike Froddrill, M.P.A., speaker and representative of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana, Inc.
