04-02-2025
Limestone puts on ‘the greatest show' as they prepare to help a local non-profit
BARTONVILLE, Ill. (WMBD) — Limestone Community High School held its 2025 opening assembly to announce the kickoff of its annual fundraising event to raise money for Easterseals.
Easterseals is a local nonprofit dedicating its services to helping kids with developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
This is the 49th annual fundraising event for the school, and Senior Student Council President Victoria Bartolo said she is most excited to try and break last year's fundraising record.
'Most importantly, I really want to break the record this year again. We raised $90,000 last year and our goal this year is $100,000,' she said.
Each year they pick a new theme which is used to motivate and inspire and give them direction. The theme for this year's event is the 'Greatest Showman' because the movie shows it is okay to be unique, and you should be proud of who you are no matter what Bartolo said.
Limestone Community High School kicks off its annual Easterseals fundraiser
The event also recognized the Unified Basketball team. Unified is a way for students with disabilities to participate on the same physical education teams as students who don't have disabilities.
While this event is important for many, Senior Student Council Vice President Sebastien Meyer says it's special to him as he has family members who have been a part of the Easterseals program.
'I've actually had two family members go through Easterseals, so I've had that direct connection with it. It helps so many people and so many families that I don't know what we would do without an organization like this,' he said.
For the next several weeks, Limestone will be hosting a slew of events that are put on as a way to help raise more money.
Bartolo said she really enjoys the 'Rocket man' event they are holding this year, which is a male beauty pageant.
Meyer said he is really looking forward to the White Out basketball game and auction, which are on the same night.
The basketball game this year is on Feb. 8 and is against Metamora which he says also does stuff with Easterseals, so he enjoys seeing the two communities as well as Easterseals come together.
The student council worked hard to prepare for the event, Bartolo said they stayed at the school until past 9 p.m. to set up. Stacey Seals who is a PE teacher as well as the Student Council Advisor at Limestone gives all the credit to the students.
'It's a lot, but we are blessed with about 30 of the best kids in the area I would put them up against anyone hands down,' she said. 'They put in so much work, they contact local businesses, they go and speak to local businesses… they organize all these events.'
The events run from Feb 4, until the closing ceremony which is held on Feb. 25, where they will announce how much money has been raised.
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