Kids Support Classmate With Bells On

Alabama Mobile Kids at one Mobile school aren't letting the sluggish economy hamper their effort to support a worthy cause.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Thu, December 04, 2008 - 4:40 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, December 04, 2008 - 4:47 pm CST

Addeline Wilson doesn't let much slow her down, but for two years, undiagnosed aches and pains sometimes made being a kid tough.

"My feet hurt sometimes, and my legs hurt," says Addeline, a third grader at St. Mary's Catholic School in Midtown Mobile.

After four trips to different specialists, it was Addeline's pediatrician that finally recognized the symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis last August.

It's a big word for a small girl. "I had to ask my mom lots of times what it was and what it would do to my life and stuff," says Addeline.

After Addeline's diagnosis, the 8 year old's school decided to do a service project, and it seemed fitting to do something to support the Arthritis Foundation. The kids decided to lace up their tennis shoes and participate in the Jingle Bell Run.

"I thought this is perfect, right up my alley," says Katie Sasser, Addeline's teacher. "I did everything I could to get my students excited about it, then it just went on to getting the whole school excited about it," she says.

Sasser is one 170 people from St. Mary's who have already signed up to walk in Addeline's honor. Together they've raised nearly $3,000.

The Jingle Bell Run is Saturday, December 6th at Fort Conde in Downtown Mobile. Registration starts at 7 a.m.

The 5K Run begins at 8 a.m., and it's followed by a one mile Elf Chase for the kids.

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