AUGUSTA — A year after turning into a virtual event because of the pandemic, the St. Michael School and Travis Mills Walk-a-thon returned as an in-person event May 19.
“The school raised $17,380.87,” said Kevin Cullen, principal of St. Michael School, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. “The goal was to raise enough money to pay for a family to spend two weeks at the foundation’s retreat in Belgrade Lakes, where they can participate in adaptive activities and meet other veteran families.”
The foundation assists veterans who have been injured during active duty. Mills, who is one of five quadruple amputees to survive injuries during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, was in attendance for the walk-a-thon, spending time with students and thanking them for their contributions.
“I got to really get more in-depth with the classes one on one and things like that, so I really am thankful for the school here and all they’re doing, and just letting me be a part of their winning team,” said Mills.
“We wanted the kids to have fun,” said Jennifer Sparda, a school parent who served as a co-chair on the Walk-A-Thon Committee. “We didn’t want to give up the day because everyone has worked hard and looks forward to the day to be active and do something healthy.”
“Students also collected items to donate to military service members stationed away from their families, wrote thank you notes to our service members, and created flags and signs to hang up during the event,” said Cullen. “The efforts and energy of our volunteers and the Walk-A-Thon Committee were overwhelming. We are so blessed to have such an amazing St. Michael School community.”
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