Kids win big at Head Start Trike-A-Thon

Cutline: The winners for the Ross Head Start Trike-A-Thon bike decorating contest were, from left, Allen Wulk, third place; A'yjae Kneeland, second place; and Jacques Venable, first place. Standing behind them are the event's coordinators Kathy Langlinais, Ross Head Start site supervisor; Dr. Ezora Proctor, St. Jude's fundraiser chairman; Norma Washington, family/community partnership coordinator; and Chris Mayfield, head judge.

By Howell Dennis

CROWLEY – Ross Head Start held a trike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The children raised $1634 for the hospital through sponsors and donations. The amount was expected to increase as donations were still coming in. Friday the children held a “bike decorating” contest and announced the name of the leading money-raiser for the event.

“These kids are so excited,” said Chris Mayfield, the head judge for the event. “That’s the wonderful thing about children is that they don’t see things the way adults do. To them it’s all about having fun.”

Jacques Venable took first place in the decorating contest followed by A’yjae Kneeland, who took second, and Allen Wulf, third.

The prize for the top seller was Jayden Harrington who raised $145.

In a scene that would have made Lance Armstrong proud, the schools gym was filled with helmets and knee pads as the children waited for their turns to ride their bicycles around the gym. Once the children got to ride it was time to “look out for your kneecaps” as Mayfield put it.

“It’s great to see these children all having so much fun,” said Dr. Ezora Proctor, the chairperson for the fundraiser. “And to be doing this for a worthy cause makes it all worthwhile.”