HOOPER -- Sixth-graders at Hooper Elementary School may have enjoyed their reward of spraying their principal with Silly String Thursday, but there wasn't anything funny about what they did to get the opportunity.
They were the highest-grossing class for the upper grades in a schoolwide fundraiser for a proposed veterans memorial here.
"Without you, it would not have been possible," Bette Wilson told the students, who collected dimes, nickels and quarters to raise the money.
Wilson is the chairwoman of the Hooper Military Freedom Memorial Team that is halfway to its goal of raising $24,000 to put up a veterans memorial in Hooper Park.
Wilson became emotional when thanking the schoolchildren, choking up as she explained how some veterans gave their lives for freedom's sake.
She spoke to the children right after they presented her with a check for $2,004.14, the total amount raised in the effort.
Team member LaGrande Belnap also showed emotion.
"What an honor it is to have you here and the contribution you have made for the memorial," he said to the children.
Principal David "Mr. G" Gerstheimer protected himself with scuba gear as the children scrambled to spray him with a blanket of Silly String.
Sixth-grade student Kenadee Smith got to shave the small patch of whiskers on Mr. G's chin - also a reward for fundraising.
The excitement was followed by Gerstheimer, an outspoken Cardinals fan, riding through the school halls on a bicycle wearing Yankee baseball paraphernalia while shouting "Yankees rule. Cardinals drool."
But Gerstheimer took his punishments in stride.
"I'd like to thank you for your service," he told the students.
Sixth-grade teacher Sheri Leak, who organized the fundraiser, said she was proud of the students' efforts to collect money during a 13-day period.
"Most of the money was in coins," she said. "It was kind of cute."
Leak said it's not the first time Hooper children have stepped up to the plate over the last few years.
The students have raised money for the victims of the tsunami, for those in the Haiti earthquake and for two Hooper children who faced life-threatening illnesses. Each time, the students have raised funds in the thousands of dollars for a cause.
"I'm so proud of the kids," Leak said. "They really came through."
Leak is a member of a group that will raise more money Saturday through a community 5K run and walk.
There are no prizes in the event that begins at 8 a.m. with signups at 7 a.m.
Participants will receive lip balm and water along with the experience of participating in the no-frills event. It will start just south of Hooper Park in the church parking lot, about 6000 W. 5300 South.
Cost of the event is a $10 suggested donation for an individual and $25 per family.
Leak said all donations will be accepted and no one will be turned down for the event.
Another event planned to raise funds is a three-on-three basketball tournament to be held in the same location starting at 6 p.m. June 4 and running through June 5 as well.
This event originally was planned for tonight but was rescheduled because of forecasts of inclement weather.
A community breakfast also is planned. The date is not yet set.
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