RMS Team Hawaii says 'Aloha' with a check for more than $4G for classmate in need

ROCHESTER - Gray skies, rain drops, and even a few snowflakes didn't dampen the spirits of nearly 50 students who took their marks under the inflatable arch to run or walk in the second annual Team Hawaii Marathon Monday charity fund-raiser.

This year's fund-raiser was a little extra special because the students were raising money for one of their classmates who survived a traumatic medical event this year. Team Hawaii is one of the three eighth-grade teams at Rochester Middle School.

Donations are still pouring in and being tallied, but the students are on track to present the family with a check for more than $4,000.

This charity fund-raiser, planned to coincide with the Boston Marathon. More than half the students hit up parents, friends, and teachers to sponsor them per lap (or a flat donation) as they ran or walked around the field in front of the school. Students who were not logging those miles filled essential roles of counters, hydration station attendants, and course boundary directors. Eight Team Hawaii alumni from last year's team came over from Spaulding High School to lend a hand with counting laps, taking photos, and timekeeping. Students from other teams braved the chilly April weather to come out and cheer on the race participants.

Students spent several weeks preparing for this big day, whether it was creating a banner or tie-dyeing "Ohana Strong" T-shirts especially designed for the marathon. The team also sold water and hot dogs at the event to raise additional money for the family; the "Ott Dogs" were so popular that they were sold out before the marathon was half over!

Veteran math teacher Elizabeth MacMillan posed the idea for a team marathon fund-raiser, and after receiving the enthusiastic support of her fellow team teachers and administration, things fell into place rapidly. The event provides the students an opportunity to be active while learning and giving back - all traits that embody the "Ohana" spirit that is fostered by the team teachers. Last year's event raised more than $2,300 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Students and teachers wish a hearty "Mahalo" to all the sponsors who donated and all the Rochester Middle School staff that helped to make this fund-raiser a success.