Students raise $1,300 for Make-A-Wish

Students at Starkweather Elementary School raised nearly $1,300 for local chapters of Make-A-Wish.

WEST CHESTER » Students at Starkweather Elementary School raised nearly $1,300 for the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley chapters of Make-A-Wish. For a minimum donation of $1, students got to wear their pajamas to school and celebrated with a school-wide dance party on Dec. 20.

The gymnasium at Starkweather was alive with excitement as DJ Nick Johnson, of Nick J. Sounds, pumped popular dance tunes through the sound system. Both students and teachers alike showed off their favorite dance moves.

The Starkweather Elementary School Winter Jam was organized by teacher Kelly Duffey, who has volunteered with Make-A-Wish for the

past 13 years.

“This foundation is something near and dear to my heart,” said Duffey. “The families I have met and granted wishes for will forever hold a special place in my life. As a teacher, I strive to teach my firstgrade students to give back

and be kind. If they walk away with one thing from first grade, it’s to be kind to others and help make the world a better place.”

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to kids with lifethreatening medical conditions. The organization believes granting wishes gives kids the power to make them feel strong, more courageous, and more determined to overcome their illnesses.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Starkweather Elementary School teacher Kelly Duffey dances with students at the school’s second annual Winter Jam to benefit Make-A-Wish. Duffey created the fundraiser and has volunteered for Make-A-Wish for the past 13 years.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Students at Starkweather Elementary School participate in the school’s second annual Winter Jam which benefits Make-A-Wish.