Give the average 7th grade boy $500 and they could spend it on just about anything.
Most likely they’ll head to the stores to buy gaming consoles or the newest Jordans, but a couple of seventh grade students in the Bellwood-Antis Middle School decided to not buy something for themselves and instead donate birthday money to Mini-THON.
Seventh graders Ty Rishel and Connor Stere use the money they had received from their recent birthday party at the Northern Blair Recreational Center to make a significant contribution to Mini-THON, which is winding down its 2025 fundraising campaign.
Mini-THON is a fundraising event that raises money for the Four Diamonds, an organization providing support for families dealing with childhood cancer.
Mini-Thon advisor, Mr. Shawn Hallahan couldn’t believe two young people would make this kind of sacrifice with money they could have used for literally anything.
“I’m completely shocked and extremely proud of them to put the big picture in front of them, and their classmates should be proud,” he said
At the party, celebrating the boys’ 13th birthdays, there were about 28 people, most of whom gave Connor and Ty gifts of money.
Both students said that their mothers had the initial idea to donate the money to Mini-THON, and they followed through with it. Connor said they were both “proud” to give to people whose health puts them in need.
“It means a lot that we are willing to give money to people who need it more than us,” Ty said.
Their gift made an impression on their middle school teachers, as well.
Middle School teacher, Mr. Connor Hunter, who teaches both Ty and Connor was proud of his students for their generosity.
“It’s really great what they did,” math teacher Mr. Connor Hunter said.
Was it a hard decision to donate such a large amount of money?
“It was not,” Ty said.
Both students participate in sports in their free time. Ty plays baseball and Connor plays basketball.
Money for Mini-Thon is being raised until February 28, but organizers have until the first week of June to turn in all the funds to Four Diamonds. As of right now, around $13,000 has been donated; however the goal is set at $20,000
“Only about $7,000 left to hit our goal,” Mr. Hallahan said.
The next opportunity to hit the goal for Mini-Thon will be a Stall Day held on February 13. Students are encouraged to bring in loose change to count during homeroom and donate to the cause. Money brought in is counted by teachers, and classes cannot begin until all change has been counted.
The official Mini-Thon event takes place at BAHS on February 28.
Mini-Thon has been successful each and every year since it first became a part of the B-A cultural scene in 2018. In all, B-A students have raised more than $100,000 for Four Diamonds, with a high in 2020 of $43,017. Last year’s Mini-THON raised in excess of $24,000.
