Ready, Set, ROLL! Friendship School Raises Over $2,000 With Annual Wheel-A-Thon Event

Friendship School's blacktop was rockin' and rollin' during the annual Wheel-A-Thon fundraiser event this week. Students' families and friends came together alongside school staff and volunteers from across the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and surrounding community to raise $2,200 for the school's unique programs. 

Friendship School, located in Imperial Beach, is a dedicated special education school that provides a unique multi-sensory environment and individualized support services for students with multiple severe disabilities with health impairments. 

The 17 students and dozens of volunteers wheeled a total of 379 laps, the equivalent of just over 90 miles, around the festive track, which was lined with loved ones and volunteers cheering the students on lap after lap. Classrooms also engaged in a friendly competition to see who could complete the most laps, with Room 15 Middle/High School class taking home top honors this year with an average of 23.5 laps.

Funds raised during the event go directly toward enhancing student experiences, such as music therapy, sensory experiences, and planning the school’s annual prom event.

“This is such an important event for our students, and we all really do love it so much,” explained Friendship School Principal Rachel Page. “The amount of support we receive from our families, school community, and SDCOE colleagues is tremendous, and we love to see so many people rallying behind and cheering on our students.”

The event has become a big highlight for the students’ families, many of them bringing extended family members from around town, sporting personalized shirts and signs as they cheer their loved ones on as they go around the track.

“This event brings my family together every year, and there are five of us here today,” said Maritza Torres, a family member of student Maria Jimena Ruiz. “We are very thankful for the teachers, staff, and everyone here at Friendship School. Everyone here works as a team, and their support means so much to us.”

Friendship School thanks all the generous donors and dedicated volunteers who helped make the event a success. If you missed the event, but would still like to donate, contact Rachel Page.