Read-a-thon turns into a Wii-a-thon for Grand Marais seniors

Up on the North Shore, residents at the Grand Marais Senior Center choose to stay inside during this beautiful weather to play Wii thanks to the students of the Sawtooth Mountain Elementary School.

The third-graders of Ms. Livingston's class at Sawtooth Mountain held a Read-a-Thon this past February to help buy a Wii system for the Grand Marais Senior Center. Organized by MRC member Heather Kemp with help from Bev Green, the Grand Marais Senior Center director, the students raised pledges and kept track of how many minutes they read throughout the month.

From making and hanging signs around town to students getting on the local radio station WTIP advertising the read-a-thon and encouraging people to pledge, Ms. Livingston's class exceeded everybody's expectations.

"The goal was for the class to read 10,000 minutes outside of class during the month of February," said Heather Kemp. "Instead, they read 14,000 minutes." The students did so well that they broke their goal of $400 and had raised over $1000, enough to buy not only the Wii system, but games and even a 42'' widescreen TV! "We even had $200 left over to give to the Senior Center to do whatever with it," Heather said.

"I am really blown away by this project," said Heather. "I never expected any of this to happen- it really shows that when one puts their heart and mind into something, amazing things can be accomplished."

"I feel so fortunate to have done a project that has had such a positive impact on so many individuals. My service this year with the MRC has been great and I feel fortunate to be a part of this organization," Heather said.


In early May, the third-graders will join the seniors and help celebrate all the hardwork by playing a friendly game of Wii. Check out the video documenting the Read-a-Thon on our Facebook page!