CREEK DONATES — During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, students at Hills Elementary and Cross Creek Elementary held a Caps for Kids with Cancer campaign, raising $1,788 for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Pediatric Cancer Research Center. Hills fourth-grader and student council president Houston Pugh, left, and vice president Aubre’ Loppe presented a check, while Cross Creek’s donation was made in memory of student Kade Hunter. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — Two Indian Creek elementary schools did their part to benefit childhood cancer research.

Pupils attending Hills Elementary and Cross Creek Elementary schools joined forces and together raised approximately $2,000 in a search for a cure for cancer.

The two buildings observed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by holding a week-long fundraiser between Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.

Among the activities held to raise money was a Caps for Kids with Cancer hat day campaign.

There was also a special haircutting event and assembly to help benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Pediatric Cancer Research Center.

The schools raised a total of $1,788.

Hills Elementary led the way with its annual festivities being organized by third-grade teacher Virginia Pawelczyk.

“We wore a different cap every day and Crystal Fluharty, a science teacher, donated some of her hair,” Pawelczyk said.

“We had drawing tickets for students at Hills to cut her hair,” Pawelczyk continued, saying the hair would be donated to Wigs for Kids.

“It’s a nonprofit that doesn’t charge families for wigs,” she explained.

Students at the schools paid a small charge in order to be allowed to wear crazy hats, bandanas, sports caps, their favorite hat and Indian Creek hats throughout the week.

At the conclusion of the fundraiser, it was announced that Hills Elementary raised $1,068.

Students attending Cross Creek raised $720.

Cross Creek contributed the money they raised in memory of student Kade Hunter, officials announced.

Pawelczyk held an assembly at the conclusion of the week, informing students what their grand total was and thanking everyone for their willingness to participate and help with this venture.

This was the 13th year for the event, which was begun by Pawelczyk.

“We’ve probably donated around $18,000 to Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Research facility throughout the years,” she commented.

She expressed how all of the students each year always enjoy being involved with this particular cause.

“They like wearing the different hats,” she continued. “I explain why we do this to the students. It is just to bring awareness about pediatric cancer and to let them know how fortunate we are to have our good health.”

Pawelczyk began the project and campaign following an incident in her own family.

She stated her eldest son, David, was treated for a brain tumor as an infant.

Today, he is a thriving teenager.

Now, her mission, her goal, is to help other kids who are in need.

She says childhood cancer has been grossly underfunded.

According to statistics, the U.S. government provides about 4 percent toward finding cures; however, there are more than 200 different types of brain cancers, in addition to numerous blood and soft tissue cancers.