BUENA PARK : Children Raise $7,000 for Ill Classmate

For four months, pupils in Jeanine Rossi’s sixth-grade class at San Marino Elementary School faithfully spent time each day running laps around the school’s track.

It’s not that they needed the exercise, explained 12-year-old Sarah Wilson. Instead, the children were preparing for a jog-a-thon to raise money for schoolmate Mario Martinez, 12, who has leukemia.

“He needs our help,” she said.

More than 400 pupils took to the field last week and spent 25 minutes jogging and walking to raise money for Mario. Beginning with the kindergartners, each class took its turn at the track where many children wore “Yes Mario” headbands and T-shirts.

“This is our way of showing that we care,” said Rossi, who organized the event.

The children raised $7,000, and a check for that amount was presented to Mario’s mother, Joann, and his sister, Carmen, who also attends San Marino. Mario is in Childrens Hospital of Orange County. The boy, who was found to have leukemia two years ago, is undergoing extensive chemotherapy, Rossi said.

The children spent the week before the event collecting pledges from the community. Several corporate sponsors chipped in with trophies, T-shirts and food for the runners. Money is still coming in, Principal Rick Haus said.

Mario is a bright boy and well-liked by his classmates, Rossi said. “He is loved by all. You would never catch him in a fight or an argument,” she said.

Rossi’s class collected $1,110 for Mario, more than any class in the school.

“I hope he could be well next year so he could come back to school,” said classmate Sean Frates, who topped all pupils by raising $621.50.