Calling all kids and community! It’s time to get ready for the sixth annual O.I.E.F. Thing-A-Thon 10K Run/Bike, 5K Run/Bike, Fun Run/Bike or WHATEVER!

“‘Whatever’ could mean playing a drum solo for an hour non-stop, baking 10 pizzas, somersaulting across the football field 4 times, or sketching 10 portraits of your friends. Any activity you can dream up that you think you could get sponsors for,” explains the event creator and Chief Thing-A-Thonner, Julie Brunner.

Participants can contribute actively and/or financially. All Orcas Elementary, Middle and High School students have received their packets to start asking parents, friends and community members to sponsor them in the event they wish to participate. All funds raised will go to OIEF to help maintain our public school programs. Community members who wish to participate can pick up pre-registration forms and sponsorship envelopes at either the Elementary or High School Offices.

Check-in for all participants will be at 10:30 a.m. in the covered play area behind the Elementary School on May 18. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help that day should call Kristen Zbornik at 376-2172.

Last year, more than $6,000 was raised by this event. And, on top of that, more than 100 participants had a day to remember. This is one of few events where students of all ages can participate in and show their support for OISD. Ideas from last year varied from a group of four students leap frogging across the football field to students making complicated and extraordinary balsa wood structures to someone singing an hour-long solo at the band shell. This year already students have registered to kayak from Doe Bay to Eastsound, hopscotch for one hour and many are planning to participate in a baseball “hit-a-thon.” And, everyone is invited to come cheer them all on! All events start at 11 a.m.

For more information, call Julie Brunner – 376-2949 or Alison Monico 376-5516.