Leadership students host fundraiser for hospitalized classmate

Linda Flaherty, principal of Dayton Intermediate School, challenged her students to raise $6,000 in the school's fundraiser this quarter.

If they did, she committed, she would wear a banana costume all day

at work.

The students fulfilled their end of the deal and, on Friday, so did Flaherty.

She wore the costume all day and handed out bananas to students.

The celebration coincided with a fundraiser sponsored by the leadership students to raise money for their classmate who remains hospitalized at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Sixth-grader Benjamin Anderson was taken to the hospital after a near drowning Oct. 27, likely due to a pre-existing heart condition.

Leadership adviser Ann Jolly said her students approached her about hosting a fundraiser for the Anderson family.

"The first thing out of the leadership kids' mouths was, 'What about Christmas?'" she said. "We want to make sure they have presents for Christmas."

Knowing that Friday was National Doughnut Day, the students organized a doughnut and hot cocoa sale before school. Doughnuts were $1 each and the cocoa 50 cents. Students raised more than $400.

"It was awesome," Jolly said. "The kids did a great job."

She said a check and a card from the leadership class will be sent to the Anderson family.

Anyone from the community wishing to contribute can contact Jolly at Dayton Intermediate School at 775- 246-6240.