Cathy Shay got kids to take a hike -- for a cause

The School Farmersville Elementary in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.
The Project The Tiger Trek. Students earned pledge money by walking laps around the school soccer fields for half an hour; walkers who brought in $20 or more were entered in a drawing to win sports equipment.

The Payoff $12,000 for the PTA to fund school upgrades and enrichment programs.

Named for the school's mascot, the Farmersville Tiger, the Tiger Trek was inspired by a March of Dimes walk that Cathy Shay completed as a child. "I felt a sense of accomplishment crossing the final checkpoint," she remembers. "I wanted to pass that feeling on to my three sons."

The program she came up with raises funds, self-esteem, and fitness. "With all the talk about childhood obesity and body mass index, I knew a healthy walk would be the best fund-raiser for us," Cathy says. And she was right. The 557 walkers strutted right past the event's $10,000 goal.

Volunteers designed the pledge-collection envelopes and lap-recording cards, picked out a small sneaker charm for each walker, shopped for raffle prizes, and ordered T-shirts and water bottles for top walkers and pledge getters. On the day of the walk, 50 adults were on hand to mark off laps at checkpoints, run the water stops, direct classes to the proper fields, and take pictures.

As for the young Farmersville Tigers? "They loved the walk!" Cathy gushes. "The fifth graders wanted to do it again the next day!"

Cathy's tip Maximize participation by planning the event for a school day.