Pre-kindergarten students at River Dell Elementary School took part in the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon, raising $224 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude is the premier center for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

More than 13 children took part in the week-long program, raising money for St. Jude while learning lessons in riding-toy safety. The week ended with the children bringing their trikes and riding toys to school to practice the safety rules they learned. The River Dell community supported the fundraiser by giving a one-time donation or pledging an amount per lap the children rode.

"It's fun to see the children get excited about learning," said Carol Worrell, coordinator of the event. "The St. Jude Trike-A-Thon also gives me the opportunity to teach the children valuable safety lessons while also helping children who are battling cancer."

Upon completion of the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon, the children won prizes ranging from T-shirts to plush toys.