MacDonald reaches goal, thanks to students

MacDonald reaches goal, thanks to students

 By Kathy McCarty

Staff Writer

    MARS HILL — Students in Sherri Averill’s second grade class at Fort Street Elementary School were instrumental in assisting Adam MacDonald, a Presque Isle man with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, reach his birthday goal of raising $2,700 to be used toward research for a cure of the life-threatening disease.

    SECOND-GRADE STUDENTS  at Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill hosted a fundraiser to raise money to help Adam MacDonald, of Presque Isle, meet his goal of $2,700, with funds going to find a cure for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy — a disease MacDonald has battled his whole life. Pictured in front from left are: Max Rideout, Landen Bell, Malachi Couture, Odin Nordstrand, Lane McCrum, Aluk Clair, Ryder Brewer, Hailee Hill, Emily Foss Andrews, Jossie Boyce, Sam Mahan, Frankie Pierce, Cooper Mahan, Hailey Brewer, Anna Kilcollins, Kira Fitzherbert, Delaney McKeen, Riley Prince, Katie Carvell, Ciaran Johnson and Liam Marquis. Second row: Billy Anthony, Keynan Campbell, Mallory Kingsbury, Colby Scott, Brighton Kingsbury, Emma McCrum, Madison Stevens, Rylee Chasse, Adam MacDonald, Alex Deveau, Calleigh Crawford, Hunter Charette and John Coffin. In back: Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Averill and MacDonald’s mother, Cheryl Markey.

    ADAM MacDONALD smiles as he holds a check for $550 presented to him by students at Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill. MacDonald, of Presque Isle, has Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. To mark his 27th birthday in October, he held a fundraiser, reaching his goal of $2,700 thanks to the students’ efforts. Pictured with MacDonald are, from left: second grader Kira Fitzherbert, teacher Sherri Averill and second grader Anna Kilcollins.

    Cheryl Markey, MacDonald’s mother, sent out e-mails to area schools prior to her son’s birthday, inviting classes to take part in raising funds for a cure for Duchenne’s. Averill responded that her class would be collecting coins to help MacDonald reach his goal of raising $100 for each year of his life. MacDonald turned 27 in October.

    “We had a contest to see which class could fill their container the quickest. We had the whole school involved. Over a one-week period, we were able to raise $550,” said Averill, noting her class served as hosts for the event.

    Averill said Mrs. Mahan’s fifth-grade classroom won, earning an ice cream party for their efforts.

    MacDonald was presented with a check for $550 during a special ceremony held at the school gymnasium on Oct. 24.

    “The children were encouraged to wear green clothing or wear green ribbons in honor of Adam,” said Averill. Green is the color associated with muscular dystrophy.

    “That’s a great amount of money raised in just a little amount of time. That helped make Adam’s goal of $2,700,” said Markey.

     “I’m proud of the students at Fort Street Elementary. They outdid the adults in Presque Isle in raising money. They’re awesome kids,” Markey said.

    MacDonald, who has difficulty speaking due to the disease, thanked everyone with a big smile.

    Markey said her son’s fundraising efforts this year have gone quite well.

    “Between our yard sale and auction, we raised over $2,000. In addition, the website we set up for donations has raised over $2,750, including the money from the students. So this year Adam’s raised nearly $5,000,” said Markey. “That’s money that will be put toward finding a cure for this terrible disease.”