With nearly all the pledges collected from the Oct. 26 fun run, the Carrolltowne Elementary School PTA has pronounced the first fund-raiser of the academic year a huge success.
"We should have close to $16,000," said Tammy Gribler, who helped organize the run.
"We went way beyond what we thought."
Pledges total $15,600 so far, and more are still being collected.
Every student at the South Carroll school participated in the run, which took place in physical education classes. About 75 percent of the 750 students collected pledges from family, friends and the local business community.
"We had a lot of business checks, either from parents' employers or from those in the community," Ms. Gribler said.
The PTA will spend about $3,500 on incentives connected with the program, all at area businesses.
"One of our main goals was to promote our community," Ms. Gribler said.
"We are using a local printer for the shirts, and we have gift certificates from Carrolltown Center."
Chelsea Bystrak, a third-grade student, led the school with $320 in pledges. For her efforts, she won a bicycle and helmet.
Other participants received pennants and T-shirts.
With the proceeds, the PTA plans to purchase computer equipment for the school library, help fund the cultural program and possibly provide teacher grants.