Pledge walk will help our schools fill funding gap

April 10 event in downtown Mesa also will benefit needy residents

When a treadmill that enabled Mesa teacher Donna Lovetro's special-needs students to exercise while learning motor skills broke down, tight budgets made it impossible to buy a replacement. Now there's a glimmer of hope, thanks to the Live United Walk United event on April 10 that will benefit Mesa Public Schools and Mesa United Way.

Lovetro heads the Adapted Physical Education Department for MPS and works with 60 special-needs students at Westwood High School and Carson and Stapley junior highs. She's encouraging her students and their parents to sign up for the three-mile walk in downtown Mesa as a fun and healthy way to benefit funding-starved schools and help needy people in the community.

"We participated in the Phoenix Heart Walk last year at Tempe Town Lake and the kids were so excited," Lovetro said. "Walking is such a good activity for them, and participating as a group really gets them motivated. We decided that this year we'd do the Live United Walk United event."

She said the worn-out treadmill is sorely missed by some of her students who have difficulty walking unassisted. The treadmill's handrails allowed them to steady themselves so they could maintain a brisk pace in time to music or while learning about health and nutrition.

"The community walk represents, in a very visible way, the partnerships that exist within Mesa," said Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Michael Cowan. "It connects our students to the greater community with an event that has tangible benefits for both our schools and the agencies serving those in need."

In addition to signing up and gathering pledges, students also are competing in an art and essay contest on why it's important to be involved in your community. Winning students in four grade categories and their teachers will win cash prizes provided by corporate sponsors.

"Walk United is a great opportunity for our students to raise funds for critical social services, while walking together with the larger community," said Mesa Public Schools Governing Board Member Mike Hughes. "This represents an important, real life lesson in civic engagement."

Live United Walk United also is an opportunity for talented students to show off their musical skills. Several student performing groups already have signed up to provide entertainment near the finish line. The event also coincides with MACFest, which features local artists showcasing their creations every Saturday in downtown Mesa.

Silent Friends Helps Struggling Students, Now Needs Our Help

Walk United event April 10 also will benefit Mesa Families in Need

When a Westwood High School student got a tooth knocked out during a basketball game and his family couldn't afford the dental bill, Silent Friends stepped up to help.

When another student risked missing her kidney dialysis treatments because her family didn't have a car, Silent Friends pitched in with taxi fare.

When other students faced a bleak holiday season due to economic hardship, Silent Friends brightened their spirits with gift cards.

This remarkable organization, created in 1985 by math teacher Barbra DeLair, has helped thousands of Westwood students weather adversity over the years by helping pay for school supplies, food, clothing, medical bills and similar everyday expenses. And now, with greater needs than ever due to the economic downturn, DeLair and school nurse Vicki Joyce are asking the community to help recharge the nearly empty coffers of Silent Friends by making pledges to the Live United Walk United event April 10 in downtown Mesa.

The three-mile walk will jointly benefit participating schools, classes and organizations, like Silent Friends, as well as Mesa United Way's Community Care Fund, which supports a wide variety of essential human services in Mesa.

"Last year our campus was 61 percent free or reduced lunch, so we have many students who need assistance," said Joyce, who is coordinating signups for the walk in behalf of Silent Friends. "Next year we will add possibly another 900 students to our 2,200-student campus, as ninth graders will be here. We currently have little funding left in the account, so any donations would be greatly appreciated."

Silent Friends has been sustained by small contributions from students, staff and parents, and annual grants in recent years from the Desert Club of Mesa. Westwood faculty are alert to students who may need assistance, and students also can refer their classmates for help. The organization's meager resources always have been stretched due to the high number or referrals, so assistance comes in small amounts, but occasionally Silent Friends has been able to work small miracles by leveraging limited funds.

"We had a young man who seemed very shy; he would cover his mouth with his hand when he spoke," recalled DeLair. "Come to find out he had very bad teeth and needed a lot of dental work. We weren't able to pay for that but we found a dentist who would do the work for free if we would pay for the lab work.

"Afterwards, if you could have seen his smile and the way he carried himself, it was an amazing transformation. It was so rewarding for everyone to be able to help that young man overcome his problem."

Mesa Public Schools and Mesa United Way, which have been hard hit by budget cuts, have set a goal of 3,000 participants and $100,000 in pledges.