Kindergarten through third-grade students at Holy Spirit Elementary School have raised nearly $4,000 for the St. Anthony Cancer Center capital campaign. Students in Mrs. Jill Wunschel’s second-grade class presented the $3,800 check to representatives from the hospital Thursday afternoon. Students put together more than 25 “Winter Fun” gift baskets by donating items like hot chocolate, fuzzy socks or blankets. They could then purchase raffle tickets for the basket they wanted to win for one dollar each. St. Anthony CEO, Ed Smith, says he was impressed by how much the kids were able to raise.
Development Director, Trish Roberts, was equally impressed by the students’ efforts. In February, the St. Anthony Foundation Board announced the start of their $7 million Building Hope capital campaign to build a $16.5 million cancer center on their campus in Carroll. She says this is another example in a long list of generous donations.
The cancer center is currently under construction just to the southeast of the existing hospital. The 21,000 square-foot facility is expected to begin accepting patients as early as next fall. Fundraising efforts for the capital campaign are still underway.