TC students hula hoop for Harlee

Last Friday, kids of Trout Creek gathered to show support for their fellow friend and classmate, Harlee Salmi. The kids reached out to the community in hopes of finding sponsors for the school-wide hula hoop contest that took place in the Trout Creek school gym.

All the proceeds from this fundraiser went to the Salmi family to help with travel and medical expenses. Salmi has been diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an aggressive and inoperable tumor located on the brain stem. Trout Creek students raised almost $1,500, with many students donating their own personal money.

The contest kicked off with students in kindergarten through second grade showing their choreographed routine, which included a hula hoop rendition of The Hokey Pokey song. Next up were the third and fourth graders with a routine to the song of "Old Town Road," by Lil Nas X. "Whatever It Takes," by Imagine Dragons was the song choice for the fifth through eighth grade kids' routine. Attendees of the fundraiser got to look on as the kids participated in various trick challenges and a last man standing challenge. Teacher Tracy Bennett concluded the hula hoop contest by congratulating everyone on their amazing routines and the success of the fundraiser; with a big thank you to the community for their support.

If you missed the Hula for Harlee fundraiser, you will have another chance to show your support by attending the Lil' Fighters Fall Festival. A yearly fundraiser whose beneficiary this year will be Harlee Salmi. From noon to 8 p.m. at Noxon's Pilgrim Creek Park an $8 admission ($30 family) will get you into all the exciting events. Included this year will be a couple's apple eating contest, a kid's doughnut eating contest and a new event, the men's old-fashioned wood chopping contest. Along with plenty of food and drinks, all proceeds will go straight to the Salmi family. Check out the Lil' Fighters Fall Festival Facebook page for more information.