Saint Thomas More School students circled their athletic fields in a fun-filled outdoor event Oct. 22 as part of the school's annual Walkathon to raise funds for school operations.

The event had been postponed from Oct. 19, because of adverse weather conditions.

The wait proved advantageous as Monday was a perfect sunny and warm afternoon.

Leading up to the event, students collected pledges from friends and relatives with a school-wide goal of raising $45,000 for school operations. The student who amassed the most in pledges will receive an Apple iPad at a school victory assembly Nov. 12.

Michael Ciliberti, M.D. is providing the iPad prize as a student incentive to collect the pledges.

Each student had an individual goal of $75 in pledges for the event. Students had a prescheduled victory party to celebrate the students' dedication.

Leading Edge Martial Arts, Menchie's Yogurt, Yocco's Hot Dogs and Pocono Produce sponsored luncheon goodies for the celebration.

Walkathon volunteer organizer Laura Havlicsek said it was gratifying to see so many parents, grandparents and siblings circling the school's athletic fields with their students.

"We always see active support from our parent community," Havlicsek said, "but to see them out there actually taking part really warms my heart."

This was Havlicsek's fourth year organizing the event.

It was a "no uniform" day as students in gym clothes or casual active wear got a chance to be outside and circle the soccer fields in an endless line with friends and relatives while raising funds for their school.