Providence School Walk Raises Over $13,000 for the American Diabetes Association

(September 17^th, 2008) – On Saturday, September 13^th Providence Academy students, staff, coaches and friends joined one another on the schools track in a 3-mile walk to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association.  Walkers took stride in honor of family members, students and loved ones touched by diabetes.

Each new soccer season, Jodee Iwen, Head Soccer Coach at Providence Academy looks for ways to develop the leadership and organizational skills of her team captains.  Iwen, whose father, Scott Immer is living with diabetes, suggested an ADA sponsored walk which would give team captains, Leighton Lerum and Emily Williams an opportunity to show leadership and allow the team to become more civically involved through service to others.

Last year the Providence Academy community shared in the sad loss of beloved parent and husband Jeff Dobbs.  Dobbs passed away due to complications related to Type 1 Diabetes.  Members of the girls’ soccer team wished to show support for their current and former teammates, daughters Erica and Jennifer, and the entire Dobbs family by participating.  They eagerly accepted Iwen’s suggestion of an ADA school walk.

Lerum and Williams were put in charge of motivating team members to reach pledge goals of raising at least $100.00 per player.  They also organized visual marketing and signage placed appropriately throughout the Providence campus.  “It was really important that I got the girls involved in the ownership of some aspects of this fundraiser,” said Iwen.

Iwen took on other roles, acting as Providence’s contact for the ADA, setting the date and time of the school walk, and organizing local sponsors like Soccer Express and QA Sports.  “The ADA gives back 15% of the dollars a sponsor school raises and allows the school to purchase athletic and medical equipment for their use,” said Iwen.  Instead of using the money for the Providence soccer program Iwen and the team agreed on locating a Twin Cities school to which the equipment and supplies will be donated.

Over 200 walkers completed the 3-mile walk, including Providence Lower School students Kinsey Wessels and Max Anderson, both living with Type 1 Diabetes.  “I think that this event was a wonderful show of support for Kinsey, Max and the entire Dobbs family.  It really helped the campus raise awareness about diabetes, especially in the younger students who are peers and friends of Max and Kinsey,” said Maureen Murphy, a walk participant and Providence’s full time nurse. “This walk illustrated that we can all do something to help.”

While the official counts are yet to be determined, ADA is reporting approximate funds raised in excess of $13,000.  “This is quite the accomplishment as an average school walk raises between $3,000-$4,000,” said Iwen.  An amazing success, the Academy’s ADA walk is something many hope to continue in years to come.

Providence Academy's girls soccer raised over $13,000 by organizing a 3-mile walk to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

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