Fort Wayne Community Schools celebrated Riley Champion Allyson Kimani, a fourth-grade student at Franke Park Elementary School, and kicked off its annual fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children on Wednesday.

Allyson was named a Riley Champion for her positive perseverance after losing her right leg above the knee during a battle with the flu virus. Complications from influenza last spring required her to be airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children where she spent many days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on life support due to organ failure. Her recovery and return to school is an example of the determination Riley Kids exhibit. As a Riley Champion, she will be an ambassador for Riley throughout the year.

In celebrating Allyson, FWCS kicked off its 10th annual fundraiser for the Riley Kids Caring & Sharing program. Last year, FWCS students and staff raised $42,025.36 for the Riley Children’s Foundation, making the district a Riley Corporation ($1 raised for every student in the district). FWCS will again work to become a Miracle Corporation, which means raising $1 for every student with participation from every school building.

For the Kids Caring & Sharing project, most FWCS schools participate in Hearts for Riley in February, but some schools have already completed their campaigns for the year or plan events near the end of the school year. Several administrative buildings also participate in the fundraiser. Those not working in or attending an FWCS school can drop off donations at any FWCS building, including the Grile Administrative Center, 1200 S. Clinton St.

Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, Indiana’s only nationally ranked and comprehensive children’s hospital. Each year children from all 92 Indiana counties turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics for care. When FWCS students help Riley, they are helping their friends and classmates.