Worthington Estates Students Raise TM Research Funds from Toy Sale and Reading for Rachel
Pauline H. Siegel

Worthington Estates Elementary School has adopted the Reading for Rachel Program as an annual event. I am really honored to participate in this program as it affords me some wonderful opportunities. We are able to raise money for TM research, which is so important for all of us who have this condition. It allows me to promote reading among my second graders, which is a passion for me. The program helps me to teach my students how important it is to get involved in their community, to participate as good citizens to help make their community a better place. And it helps me to teach lessons about how important and rewarding it is to help others.

One of the best features of the Reading for Rachel Program at our school is that Rachel and Cathy Dorocak are able to come to kick off the month-long reading fundraiser with us. It is a long drive for them to get to Worthington, but their visit leaves such an incredible impression on all of us at our school. Almost the entire day at our elementary school is devoted to Rachel's visit and the reading program. Rachel and Cathy share lunch with some of the children, we visit many of the classrooms during the day and talk to the children about why we are asking them to raise this money. We talk about TM and we explain to them in what ways TM has impacted both Rachel and myself. There is an assembly during which Cathy shows a video about Rachel's therapy sessions and also answers questions for the students. The day is wrapped up with a short meeting with the teachers and staff to describe the program and also to answer any of their questions. It is a very long day for Rachel and Cathy, but their presence makes all the difference in the world to our students, teachers and staff.

Rachel is such a smart and charming person; and she is such a character. The children really develop a concern and care for her, even from the short visit. I have children asking me about her all the time. They want to know when was the last time I saw her, and they want to know how she is doing. During this last visit, Rachel left such an impression on the students, that some of them held a toy sale to raise money for TM research.

These children were third graders, some of whom had been in my class the previous year. Each of them gathered up some of their own toys that they were willing to put up for sale. They held the toy sale over two days. During that time, they rode their bikes all over the neighborhood advertising the toy sale. These students raised more then $75 from their sale, and they donated the money to the TMA research fund! I am so proud of these students. This was such a wonderful thing for them to do. Thank you, Andrew, Steven, Eric, Ruthie, Bryan, Conrad, Evan, and Greg.

Worthington Estate Elementary School raised $2855.13 from the month-long Reading for Rachel Program. Our principal, Dan Williams, and Kimberly Forte from our PTA gave the program their full support and efforts. Coincidentally, Dan was the principal of the elementary school in Strongsville where Cathy's sons initiated the Reading for Rachel Program.

I am very proud of my school, our wonderful students, teachers and staff. Thank you!