SHINING OUR LIGHT ON ART, MUSIC AND LANGUAGE ENRICHMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN
The annual Walkathon rallies and unifies the Saint Mary community in support of Art, Music and Language Studies for the children of our school. Thanks to donations collected by our students and sponsorships made by our benefactors, we can continue to enrich our curriculum with vibrant programs in these essential subjects.
Save the date! The 22nd annual Walkathon will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024. It will celebrate “Philadelphia's Food Firsts and Achievements in the Culinary Arts."
The 2024 Walkathon will support the foundational arts programs that support our students on their journeys to becoming passionate, confident, Christ-centered leaders of the 21st century. Students that have the benefit of an arts education have increased motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. They score significantly better on standardized tests and have stronger skills in math and reading. Overall, arts education promotes creativity, social development, and self-worth.
If you have any questions, please email the Walkathon co-chairs, Matthew and Susan Koger, Parents Class of 2025, at walkathon@saintmarys.us.
We are excited for the 22nd annual Walkathon on May 17th! This annual fundraising campaign supports arts enrichment programs, and our goal this year is $45,000. This year’s Walkathon will celebrate “Philadelphia’s Food Firsts and Achievements in the Culinary Arts.” We are looking forward to exploring our city’s rich culinary history with our students in the weeks leading up to the Walkathon.
Per our tradition, the Walkathon will launch from Old St. Joseph’s Church. Students will walk a 1-2 mile route in groups as follows: Kindergarten and 7th; 1st and 8th; 2nd, 3rd and 4th; 5th and 6th. Volunteer information will be sent to families ahead of time.
There are many ways to support the Walkathon, and we have outlined them in the attached FAQs. At least one donation must be allocated toward a student in order for them to participate in the Walkathon. All students who are eligible to participate in the Walkathon will receive an event shirt. Students who reach their fundraising goal of $150 or more will be part of the “Bend the Rules” program this spring.
The 2024 Walkathon will support the foundational art, music, and language programs that support our students on their journeys to becoming passionate, confident, Christ-centered leaders of the 21st century. Students who have the benefit of an arts education have increased motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. They score significantly better on standardized tests and have stronger skills in math and reading. Overall, arts education promotes creativity, social development, and self-worth.
Please support and encourage our students throughout the next few months. Let them know why it is so important to fund the arts programs and motivate them to find ways to contribute. The campaign is designed so that all students have a chance to reach their $150 goal.
If you have any questions, please visit www.saintmarys.us/support/walkathon or e-mail the Walkathon co-chairs, Matthew and Susan Koger, Parents Class of 2025, at walkathon@saintmarys.us.
Thank you for your support of the students of Saint Mary!
Saint Mary Interparochial School
22nd Annual Walkathon
Friday, May 17, 2024
Shining our Light on Art, Music, and Language Programs
We are excited for the 22nd annual Saint Mary Walkathon on May 17, 2024! Below are answers to frequently asked questions about this essential fundraising campaign.
What is the Walkathon?
The Walkathon is an annual, multifaceted fundraising campaign that directly supports the arts programs at Saint Mary Interparochial School. Donations and sponsorships are collected by students and families between March and May of each year, culminating with a spirited and celebratory walk through the school’s historic neighborhood.
This year’s Walkathon will celebrate “Philadelphia’s Food Firsts and Achievements in the Culinary Arts.”
Why does the Walkathon support arts programs? How do these programs make a difference in the lives of our children?
Without the funds raised by this campaign, Saint Mary would either have to substantially curtail or eliminate art, music, and foreign language programs. A number of studies support the conclusion that students who participate in formal art and music education have higher academic achievement scores than students who do not benefit from this enrichment. Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups on standardized tests in core subject areas - often significantly. Students who study the arts have increased motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. Overall, arts education promotes creativity, social development, and self-worth.
What makes the arts programs at Saint Mary an enriched learning experience?
Accomplished and passionate educators lead the arts programs at Saint Mary in their specialty fields of art, language, and music education. By attending school events, viewing the artwork, and asking your children what they are learning, you will realize that the students at Saint Mary participate in exceptional arts enrichment programs. This contributes to a richer curriculum that gives our children a proven advantage over other students when applying to high schools.
Who walks in the Walkathon?
Along with faculty, staff, and parent volunteers, all students who receive at least one donation may participate in the Walkathon. Note that all donations are divided evenly among siblings. All participating students will receive a Walkathon shirt to wear for the event. Students who raise $150 or more will be part of the Bend the Rules program. (See reverse for more information.)
What is the Walkathon fundraising goal and how will we reach that goal?
This year, our goal is to raise $45,000. There are several ways over the next few months that we, as a collective school community, can reach that goal, including:
- Letters to Loved Ones (March): The students will personalize letters to loved ones who may want to contribute to their education in the arts. The school will ask you for addresses and will send these letters directly to family and friends. This effort raises thousands of dollars each year and is an integral part of the Walkathon campaign.
- Raffles (April): The school community will have the chance to win several special prizes in April. Monetary donations toward the purchase of raffle tickets prize will count toward your students’ $150 goal.
- Pledges (May): Every student will be given a pledge sheet and online pledge link in early May. Ask friends and neighbors to make a pledge. $5 here or $10 there will add up!
- Sponsorships (Ongoing): There are multiple levels of giving in the form of sponsorships:
- Presenting ($1000+)
- Cultural Champion ($500+)
- Arts for Hearts ($250+)
- Music to My Ears ($150+)
- Granate and Blanco ($75+)
We encourage you to seek sponsorships from local businesses and organizations. Many companies will match charitable donations so check with your employer. Each level of giving includes special recognition, including an ad in the event book which is distributed to every family. Families often sponsor and place a “parent pride” ad in the book.
Simply, participation by all will help achieve our goal.
How does “Bend the Rules” work?
To encourage students to meet a fundraising goal of $150, each student who reaches that amount will:
- Sign the “Bend the Rules” banner that hangs in the multipurpose room throughout the Spring
- Receive a 2024 Walkathon custom button
- Receive passes to bend up to three school rules such as relax the dress code; wear nail polish; homework pass; sport a wild hair color; and more!
Students with the highest fundraising totals will be eligible for additional prizes as well, like Principal for the Day and Class Treat Day.
What counts toward a student’s “Bend the Rules” total?
All monetary pledges, sponsorships, and donations count toward the $150 goal.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email the co-chairs of the Walkathon, Matthew and Susan Koger, at walkathon@saintmarys.us.
We invite individuals and businesses to support the arts at Saint Mary by serving as a Walkathon sponsor or by providing a donation. Sponsorships begin at $75, and each level includes an advertisement or personal message in the Walkathon event book. Please send all advertisements to walkathon@saintmarys.us.
Online: To make a secure donation to support our students’ Art, Music and Language Studies Programs, please click here to fill out the form below.
Mail: Donations may be made payable to St. Mary Interparochial School and mailed to St. Mary Interparochial School, Fifth and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Walkathon Sponsorship Information
PRESENTING SPONSOR $1000 Level - Corporate logo placed prominently on the Walkathon event shirt. This sponsorship enables all students to receive an event shirt to wear during the Walkathon; Corporate logo placed on the front cover and a full page ad on the inside front cover of the Walkathon event book; Corporate logo placed prominently on the Walkathon event banner which is carried during the event and later hung from the school gates; Acknowledgment on our website and in social media communications; Acknowledgment in our Annual Report issued in the Winter of 2025.
CULTURAL CHAMPION SPONSOR $500 Level - Corporate logo placed on the back of the Walkathon event shirt; Corporate logo placed on the front cover of the annual Walkathon event book; Corporate logo or family name placed prominently on the Walkathon event banner which is carried during the event and later hung from the school gates; Full page ad within the annual Walkathon event book; Acknowledgment on our website and in social media communications; Acknowledgment in our Annual Report issued in the Winter of 2025.
ARTS WITH HEARTS SPONSOR $250 Level - Corporate logo or family name placed on the Walkathon event banner which is carried during the event and later hung from the school gates; Full page ad within the annual Walkathon event book; Acknowledgment on our website and in social media communications; Acknowledgment in our Annual Report issued in the Winter of 2025.
MUSIC TO MY EARS SPONSOR $150 Level - Full page ad within the annual Walkathon event book; Acknowledgment on our website and in social media communications; Acknowledgment in our Annual Report issued in the Winter of 2025.
GRANATE & BLANCO SPONSOR $75 Level - Half page ad within the annual Walkathon event book; Acknowledgment on our website and in social media communications; Acknowledgment in our Annual Report issued in the Winter of 2025.
Online: To submit a secure sponsorship or donation to support our students’ Art, Music and Language Studies Programs, please click here.
Click here to purchase a raffle ticket!
1 ticket for $5 / 5 tickets for $20
- Personalized assistance with advanced reservation booking
- Complimentary welcome drinks
- $100 gift card
- $550-$600 voucher for one-week of summer camp, ages 6-17, at Movement Callowhill, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, June to August options available
- Open to climbers of all experience levels, the program ensures fun through safe, instructional climbing, teamwork, games, and challenges
- $150 gift card for the La Scala Restaurant Group
- Bottle of Mocali Brunello di Montalcino, 2019
- $100 Phield Pass to Phield House (good toward clinics; classes; camp registration; party or event)
- Autographed Philadelphia Flyers hockey puck signed by Cameron Atikson
- Art Kit from Artist & Craftsman Supply
- $100 gift card for Fiorella
- Bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne Brut
Private Chocolate Tasting for Six at Aurora Grace
- Join chocolatier Aurora Grace in sampling a variety of chocolate couvertures while engaging in discussions surrounding cacao sourcing and ethics. The 60-minute class takes participants on a journey through the process of how chocolate is made, and then later crafted into a finished product. Attendees are welcome to bring in their own alcoholic beverages as well as savory food such as a cheeseboard.
Thanks to Artist & Craftsman Supply; Aurora Grace; Cipparone Family; James Foley;
Koger Family; La Scala Restaurant Group; Movement Callowhill; Phield House;
Philadelphia Flyers; Soltis Family; Amanda Shulman; and Vetri Community Partnership.
Ann B. Zekauskas
City Plumbing
Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture
Ralph and Barbara Novotney
Koger Family
Marie and Jay Lynch
McDuff Family
Augustine Family
Woodton Family
Cipparone Family
Ermilio Family
James Conner
Landis Gallman
Michael Hartigan
Jamison Family
Lesher Family
Thomas and Catherine McCoy
Milano Family
Mary Jayne and Doug Pugh
Michael and Irene Regan
Mark and Josephine Tustin
Tralie Family
Joe Campbell and Susan Palmer
Kenneth F. Carobus and M. Faith Angell
Joe and Lily Carson
Richard Conway
D'Amato Family
Janet Delvy
Linda Deshauteurs
Devlin Family
Engler Family
John Ermilio
Mary Hartman-Clark
Joan Hobson
Alicia Hummel
Jacob Family
James Jamison
Michele LeMay and Jean-Pierre Bacle
Massey Family
Jeanne Meredith
Phyllis Robinson
Richard and Myra Rothwell
Christina Ruskey Haciski
Joan Rybas
Julie Sarver
Jane Carswell Smith
Squilla Family
Sullivan Family
Paul and Maria Verna
Alice Aikens-Nicholas
Balchunas Family
Meredith Boehringer
William and Barbara Brown
Kathryn Chatfield
John Colussi and Linda Galante
Aaron and Diane Cunningham
Kevin Dowd
Robert Ferro
William Fisher
William Fortier
Michael and Debra Goldsmith
Sarah Hullender
Alicia Hummel
Linda Jack
Kathleen Naccarato
Rick Kelly
Donald and Karen Koger
Susan and Joseph Krotec
McKenna Family
Robert and Eileen Morano
Murphy Family
Deborah Notarianni
Margot O'Neil
Fulvio and Maria Oliveto
Andrea Parker
Valerie Pedicone
Karen Pfeiffer
Bernard and Kay Poeschel
Paul and Dolores Policarpo
Joseph Ritorto
Richard Smith
Nancy and Donald Sommer
Joseph Tralie
Thomas and Nicoi Verna
Vogel Family
Leann and Oliver Wischmeyer
Ksenia Zukowsky