Hop a Thon- Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning

212 W Lake St, Elmhurst, IL | Get Directions »
FREE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE TO EDITORS: The media is welcome to cover every aspect of the event.  Please contact Allison Gronski for more information or to arrange interviews with participants and MDA clients. Pictures are available upon request.

Contact:           Allison Gronski                       

                        Fundraising Coordinator                                

                        (630) 598.0700                                               

                        agronski@mdausa.org                                               

Local Children Hop to Fight Muscular Dystrophy  

May 2012—Students enrolled at Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning will participate in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Hop-a-Thon, during the week of May 29th to raise money to help children with neuromuscular disease. This is the first year the school will be joining MDA’s Hop a Thon program.

Educational activities leading up to the Hop-a-Thon teach students about muscles, disabilities, diversity, assistance and acceptance. “More than a fundraising opportunity, Hop-a-Thon activities are designed to be both educational and fun for all participants,” said Allison Gronski, fundraising coordinator. “The children learn about helping others and they have fun doing it."

School staff have been coordinating together to not only enrich the lesson plans, but to together make a difference one hop at a time. Funds raised help send over 80 local children with muscular dystrophy to a week of barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp Red Leaf.  Hop-a-Thons also support MDA’s worldwide research program and its national network of 225 clinics, including Shriners Hospital for Children and Northwestern in Chicago, IL.

Students will collect pledges from family, friends and neighbors for the number of hops they can complete in a timed period – typically somewhere between 10 and 150 hops.

MDA's Hop-a-Thon program directly benefits local families affected by diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association's Hop-a-Thon program began in the early 1980s. Thousands of child care centers, preschools and elementary schools across the country participate in MDA Hop-a-Thons annually.  Hop-a-Thons offer a valuable lesson plan based on three important concepts: build awareness, teach acceptance and motivate to help.  MDA's Hop-a-Thon program is endorsed by the National Child Care Association.

MDA is a non-profit organization providing help, hope and knowledge for everyone suffering from neuromuscular diseases and entire communities across the nation.  MDA is the world's largest non-governmental sponsor of research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases, sponsoring 400 research projects annually.  Through 225 hospital-affiliated clinics, MDA offers quality medical care from doctors, nurses and therapists experienced in dealing with neuromuscular diseases. These clinics also serve as sites for clinical trials of the latest experimental therapies and drugs. MDA also offers about 290 support groups for those with neuromuscular diseases and their families.  When medically prescribed by the local MDA clinic physician, MDA assists with the purchase of wheelchairs, leg braces, and communication devices.  Since 1955, MDA has built bridges and knocked down barriers for youngsters with neuromuscular diseases by providing an unforgettable week at MDA summer camp. Campers say the week they spend at MDA camp is "the best week of the year." 

To learn more about Hop-a-Thons and other MDA programs, contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Downers Grove at (630) 598-0700.

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