City Times Staff

Art Greco’s World of Business class will be spending this week finalizing their plans for Saturday’s fundraising event to benefit the Portage Co. K-9 unit.

The fundraiser is the students’ final class project; the group is hoping to raise at least $1,500.

The class is an elective for ninth graders at Ben Franklin Jr. High, one that teaches Microsoft programs and business practices via interactive, project-based learning. Students have spent the entire semester collecting data on the county’s K-9 unit, then took to raising funds through a bake sale at the school.

Over the past few weeks they’ve been contacting local business to solicit donations for their main event: April 30’s “Raise the Paws: Say 9 to Crime” event.

Portage Co. Sheriff Mike Lukas and Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza have both confirmed they’ll be in attendance for the planned activities, which include a catch and release fishing tournament, 50/50 paddle wheel, ladder ball, a bean bag toss and community cookout.

Cob Poppers will also provide kettle corn for the event.

Students have managed to bring in numerous donations for Saturday’s cookout fundraising event.

Sav A Lot has donated 400 hot dogs to the event; hamburgers are coming from Plover Express. Mission Coffee House in Plover has pledged ice, while buns are being donated by Trigs. Several area businesses have also donated t-shirts, gift cards and other items to be used as prizes for activities at the event.

The students are currently seeking five local businesses to match each of their three highest bake sale days; two $100 days and one day of $50 in sales.

To donate, checks should be made out to Ben Franklin Jr. High with “World of Business” written in the memo line. Send donations to: Ben Franklin Jr. High, 2000 Polk St., Stevens Point, 54481.

The fundraiser will be held Sat., April 30 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Lower Whiting Park.