You can help out just by walking

Thu., May 17, 2007

Patty Hutchens Correspondent

People Everywhere Are Created Equal.

That’s the name of a small group of students at Timberlake High School who are helping make a difference in their community. Known as Club PEACE, these students work all year to bring awareness of diversity and to help raise money for scholarships for their fellow students. They also look for ways to give back to the community.

The club’s latest fundraiser, the Walk for Peace, will take place at Timberlake High on Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m.

“This year, we are opening it (the walk) up to the public,” said teacher Jacqui Duran. “In the past, it has been only the students walking.”

Each year, students collect pledges to raise money for a specific organization in the community. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Kootenai County Search and Rescue Council, which is made up of four nonprofit organizations: Mountain West Rescue Dogs, Kootenai County Search and Rescue, Kootenai County Mountain Posse and Kootenai County Emergency Auxiliary.

In the past, the students have raised $400 to $1,000. They hope that by opening the walk to the public, they will raise more money and make a significant contribution to the Search and Rescue Council.

Groups that have benefited from the Walk for Peace in the past include a women’s shelter, the Humane Society and the Grandmothers Club in Spirit Lake.

Shortly after Duran contacted the Search and Rescue Council to learn more about its needs, some Club PEACE members attended one of the council’s meetings.

“The kids came back so excited,” Duran said. She said that in the past, the kids have wanted to do a lot of projects that benefit animals, but this year’s beneficiary involves both people and animals.

On the day of the walk, students who have raised at least $15 in pledges will be excused from school to participate.

Duran said the club hopes some of the volunteers for the nonprofit organizations in the Search and Rescue Council will attend so they can answer questions about their roles in the community.

Students from Club PEACE encourage anyone who would like to participate to collect pledges and join them Tuesday. Pledge forms are available at the school.

Duran said that with the public being invited to participate in this year’s fundraiser, people in the community have a good opportunity to see the school and learn more about the curriculum and the students.

“It would be great for people to come and intermingle,” she said. “We have so many great kids here.”

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