Nov 19, 2008
Manhattan Beach Student Reads Books to Raise Money for MS
Eleven year old Elena Bartlett wanted to complete a community service project in order to earn a Girl Scout Religious Award called the Chi Ro Award. So she consulted the Chi Ro handbook for suggestions. The “MS READaTHON” listing immediately caught Elena’s attention. The MS READaTHON offers children in elementary and middle school an opportunity to help people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by simply reading books and getting sponsors. The popular nationwide event began in 1975 and in its first ten years the MS READaTHON involved 17 million participants, who read 70 million books and raised $65 million.
Elena and her mom did some research and learned that unfortunately, California schools had not participated in the MS READaTHON for more than a decade. This did not discourage Elena who realized that she loved to read and she could easily coordinate this project on her own. At the start of the summer, Elena sent letters to her family and friends, including classmates from Robinson Elementary. She explained that she was planning a read-a-thon for multiple sclerosis, in honor of her Grandma Delphine who had lived with the unpredictable and often disabling disease. She asked for pledges to support her efforts.
By Labor Day, Elena had read ten books and raised over $900. She said, “It was fun and easy. I liked reading the books. Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson was my favorite. I also liked receiving pledges.” National MS Society, Southern California Chapter President Leon LeBuffe said, “We wish we could have hundreds more students like Elena who take action and join the movement to create a world free of MS. Her efforts are remarkable and we are grateful for her support.”
For more information about MS or other programs of the National MS Society, please call 1.800.FIGHT.MS (1.800.344.4867) or visit our Web site at www.nationalMSsociety.org/cal.