Middle Schoolers Run, Raise Money To Help Animals

Sixth-graders Ethan Clark and Gabby Douglas were the first to cross the finish line Friday during Catonsville Middle School's Spring Fun Run, but the real winners were the animals at the Maryland SPCA.

"This is for the animals that don't have voices," physical education teacher Christine Ehrlichman said to the approximately 50 students who were participating in the fundraiser run Friday.

Ehrlichman is the sponsor of the school's Jogging Club, whose members, along with members of the school's Catonsville Students for Animal Welfare Club, worked to raise money and collect items for the SPCA.

For the run, student runners each donated $5 to participate, raising $170, said Katie Tucci, sponsor of the Catonsville Students for Animal Welfare Club.

On Friday afternoon, the school will donate that money to the SPCA, along with dozens of pet food, towels, blankets and other items that parents, students and educators will deliver to the nonprofit, Tucci said.

The runners followed a familiar course around the perimeter of the school grounds—a 1.3-mile route that they take during The Jogging Club's annual Turkey Trot in November, Ehrlichman said.

Some teachers brought their classes to the green fields out behind the school to watch and cheer on the runners.

Tucci, a world cultures teacher, began the CSAW Club that, among other activities, holds fundraisers a few times a year to benefit the Maryland SPCA and Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter of Baltimore.

Ehrlichman said Friday that she had wanted to join in the effort, because she, too, loves animals and wants to help.

For more photos from the event, read Catonsville Schools Collect SPCA Donations.