Local Goddard Schools raise $12k for charity

The Goddard Schools in the Richmond area have teamed up every year for the past five years to raise money for the CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to aid families of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. This year, they raised $12,236 to benefit CJ’s, exceeding last year’s collection by about $1,400. To date, the schools have donated more than $42,000 to this charity.

Nine Richmond-area Goddard School locations held fall festivals in October to help raise money. Events included a variety of activities for children and their families to enjoy such as a pumpkin auction, a chili cookoff, walk-a-thon and others. The Henrico location raised $1,708.

On Nov. 28, representatives from the Schools presented the check to the charity.

“CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation does great work in the community supporting families with children undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses,” said Dave Hajek, owner of The Goddard School in Ashland, who has spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the past five years. “Because Goddard is focused on providing a safe, nurturing and educational environment for children in our community, all nine Goddard Schools in the Richmond area worked together, again this year, to support CJ’s Thumbs Up as it continues its great work.”