Hickory Ridge Elementary fun run tops $10,000 before race day

Hickory Ridge Elementary students have raised more than $10,600 for what the PTO calls the school's biggest fundraiser of the year. Race day hasn't even happened yet.

The Harrisburg school's "Running the Ridge" Fun Run collected $10,605 through its first two days of online pledges, according to a PTO update after the second night of the campaign. Students will run Friday, Oct. 23, during their Encore class periods. Each student receives a free shirt in their house color.

The fundraiser uses the online platform 99Pledges, which lets families share a personalized pledge page by email, text or social media. The PTO said 100% of the money raised goes directly to the Hickory Ridge Elementary PTO to support classroom supplies, professional development, the HRES House System and special events.

Fast start

Flyers went home in backpacks Wednesday, Oct. 14, the first day of the campaign. That day alone brought in $6,259, according to a separate PTO update. Mrs. Hutchinson's fourth-grade class won the first-day "Hype Chain" award by raising $740.

By the end of day two, the total had climbed to $10,605. Ms. Heitz's fifth-grade class took the Hype Chain that night. Three students earned "Mystery Box" prizes as the top individual fundraisers: Marin from Ms. Heitz's fifth-grade class, Ben from Mrs. Buffkin's fourth-grade class and Charlotte from Mrs. French's first-grade class.

Big goals ahead

The school set tiered reward milestones. At $30,000, every student gets a pajama day while principals ride scooters through the halls. Hit $40,000 and students earn a popsicle party plus a principal lip-sync battle. The gold goal of $50,000 unlocks extended recess and principals stuck on the roof all day.

Top individual fundraisers can win prizes including a Fujifilm instant camera, a multi-game table set and a giant Connect 4 game.

The fundraising window stays open through Monday, Oct. 26.

What parents should know

Parents cannot attend race day unless they sign up as volunteers. The school cited limited campus parking. Volunteer registration is available through SignUpGenius.

Families can find their child's pledge page at app.99pledges.com/fund/HRESFunRun2026.