HERMISTON, Ore.-Highland Hills Elementary in Hermiston held its third-annual Fun Run on October 15.
Highland Hills students raised almost $6,500 through donations from family and friends to benefit the Highland Hills Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“This year was our most successful event yet and will fund the majority of the PTO budget for the year,” said Brian Rust, with the Highland Hills PTO.
Over 300 students walked, ran and jogged throughout the day with their grade levels during the fun run, seeing how many laps they could complete in 45 minutes, while enjoying music, race bibs and paint to mark each lap they made.
This year the Highland Hills PTO also partnered with community sponsors such as Good Shepherd Health Care System, Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) and A&M Supply to make the Fun Run a success.
“Good Shepherd, UEC and A&M Supply coming on board as sponsors this year was the icing on the cake for this event,” said Rust. “These organizations are amazing at giving back to their community and with their help this was the most successful Fun Run we’ve had.”
The PTO provides classroom funds, as well as Battle of the Books prizes and shirts for school winners, meals for staff, field trips, teacher appreciation gifts and more throughout the year.
Last year, the organization was able to get new soccer goals for the Highland Hills playground through a partnership with Made to Thrive.
“Highland Hills PTO has a great group of volunteers, the school has a great staff, and the students are amazing,” said Rust. “We enjoy being able to assist in any way we can.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Highland Hills PTO may email highlandhillsparentgroup@gmail.com for more information or fill out a background check form at the school office.
