By Jacob Mathias

Students from P.J. Jacobs Junior High School raised $150 this week for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Donating one quarter at a time, over 600 donations were made by P.J.’s students to support “Andrew’s Army,” a group supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honor of P.J.’s seventh grade student Andrew Bowling. Bowling was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age.

“It’s really nice for the students to pitch in and help for the cause,” said Bowling.

From September 29 to October 1, students purchased paper boots similar to what you see when you donate at the grocery store. For each quarter

Seventh grade students bought over 300 boots for Andrew’s Army. (Contributed Photo)

donated, the students’ names were entered in a prize drawing and prizes were given out during lunch hours on October 2.

“We had some kids that brought in a $20 and bought 80 votes and it was awesome,” said Karla Landwer, a teacher and student council adviser at P.J. Jacobs.

All the proceeds are will go to support Bowling’s team at the JDRF One Walk  on October 3 at 10:00 AM in Pfiffner Park. According to the JDRF website, the Stevens Point One Walk has already raised nearly $73,000.

Bowling himself presented the idea for the fundraiser to the P.J. Jacobs student council who enthusiastically approved. The fundraiser had previously been run at Bannach Elementary School where he attended in previous years.

Landwer said the P.J. Jacobs seventh grade class purchased about half of the total boots sold and the eight and ninth grade about a quarter each.

Prizes were donated by Marshfield Clinic, Ministry Medical Group, Topper’s Pizza, Polito’s Pizza, Sweet Frog, Adventure 212 and Team Schierl.

For more information on the JDRF One Walk, click here.