Philadelphia– Sunday’s forecast of torrential rain may have been enough to cancel your soccer practice, but it certainly was not enough to prevent 132 National Honor Society members from dedicating their time to brightening the lives of cancer patients at the April 24th Pete’s Sake Walk held at Citizens Bank Park.
With this year’s relocation of Special Olympics to Souderton Area High School, North Penn’s National Honor Society was faced with the challenge of organizing a new chapter-wide project. NHS cabinet members and their advisors Ms. Michelle Machado and Miss Lauren Budweg teamed up with principal Burton T. Hynes to make it happen.
For Pete’s Sake, Walk! is an event hosted by “Take a Break From Cancer,” an organization dedicated to funding respite vacations for terminally ill cancer patients and their families. Last year’s walk fundraised enough money to send more than 190 families on unforgettable vacations to tropical locations like Florida and the Caribbean.
Participants take part in a three-mile walk around the premises of Citizen’s Bank Park ending in Phillie’s dugout for a photo opportunity with the Phillie Phanatic. Stations distributing refreshments including Dunkin Donuts coffee, pretzels, tasty cakes, tomato pie, and apple slices were situated throughout the route to motivate the walkers.
Throughout the dreary day, NHS members were presented with tasks such as serving refreshments, painting children’s faces, cheering on walkers, taking pictures, directing traffic, distributing teachers, and simply maintaining the positive vibe in the less-than-opportune circumstances.
“I was so proud of the National Honor Society Students. They took what was an ugly, messy, rainy day and made the most of it. When I walked the concourse, it was so neat to see all of our students helping so many people,” said Budweg.
Though the weather was an example of life handing out lemons, the positive attitudes and hard work of the volunteers fostered a day of lemonade. As junior Julie Johnson said, “It was awesome seeing all the kids’ smiling faces.” For all involved, it was a great day for supplemented by a good cause.
For more information on Take a Break from Cancer, visit www.crossingthefinishline.org