Edmond North students work to be a light in their community

Students at Edmond North High School soon will be involved in the annual fundraising campaign known as BALTO, or Bring a Light to Others.

This year’s recipient is the downtown Children’s Hospital Volunteers Inc. program. BALTO week, full of many event fundraisers, will be Monday through Feb. 10. Events include a bake sale, silent auction, 5K and fun run, as well as a dog show on Monday in the school’s small gym.

Feb. 10 will be the big day as student leaders will announce the grand total of money raised during a closing assembly.

The program helps ill children and families during their treatment stay in the hospital. BALTO officials have a goal this year of raising $350,000. Part of that would go to fund an in-house therapy dog program at the hospital.

“Some of these children are ill with cancer, and a dog can really help them,” said Allie Rice, one of three BALTO co-chairmen.

Rice, a junior, is joined by seniors Madeline Minnix and Katie Cheap. This is the second time as co-chairman for Cheap. She said she is the first Edmond North student in the 22-year BALTO history to co-chair a drive more than once.

Last year North made history, raising a whopping $708,748 for Fields & Future, which builds athletic fields for students in poorer parts of the metro area. It was the most money raised during a benefit by either North, Edmond Memorial High School or Edmond Santa Fe High School.

That broke a BALTO record from the year before when North students raised $701,344 for the Angels Foster Family Network.

The first BALTO week in 1995 raised $5,000. In the past two years, North has benefited from matching fund grants, as well.

Cheap said the final numbers are not what BALTO is about.

“BALTO’s success isn’t measured on the amount of money we raise,” she said. “We look at a successful BALTO as one where everyone at North is focused on making a difference in our community while sharing a funfilled week.”

Rice said the co-chairmen were named toward the end of last school year. By summer, 35 charitable organizations had applied to be recipients of this year’s drive. That number was narrowed to 10 and interviews were conducted over the summer.

The three Edmond schools will be donating 5 percent of their totals to a common thread. This year, as was the case last year, the schools will be contributing to the Edmond Public Schools Foundation.

‘Huge surprise’

Children’s Hospital is happy to be part of the process this year.

“Being chosen was a thrill and honestly a huge surprise,” said Sara Jacobson, executive director for Children’s Hospital Volunteers Inc.

“I think our ideas hit home for students because they wanted to help local kids and everyone has experienced the healing, calming power of animals.”

Having the therapy dogs for the children makes a big difference, Jacobson said.

“Other children’s hospitals are seeing incredible results with similar programs. We believe the kids in Oklahoma deserve the same, and are truly thrilled to work with Edmond North to make it happen.”

For more information, including how to donate, go to www. baltoweek.org.