Crossing guard donates 168 backpacks

Eric Christenson hiked around Lake O to raise money to help students

Posted 7/27/22

Mr. C's fundraising hike around Lake Okeechobee ended with a bang when he was able to donate 168 filled backpacks to students in Okeechobee who needed them.

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Crossing guard donates 168 backpacks

Eric Christenson hiked around Lake O to raise money to help students

Posted

OKEECHOBEE — Mr. C's fundraising hike around Lake Okeechobee ended with a bang when he was able to donate 168 filled backpacks to students in Okeechobee who needed them.

Eric Christenson drove a school bus in Okeechobee for many years and retired after Covid-19 came to town. Missing the kids and the action, he went back to work last year, this time as a school crossing guard.  Christenson set a goal to walk all the way around Lake Okeechobee and raise at least $1,500 to buy school supplies for students who might otherwise not have the needed supplies. The hike was not easy, with much of the dike closed to the public for various reasons, Christenson found himself spending a lot of his time walking along the highway, but he was determined to finish and made it to J&S Fish Camp on Saturday, July 23 by noon. He raised a total of $3,600 and was able to buy, fill and give away 168 backpacks.

"Things are crazy expensive," he said. "A family of four children would easily spend $180 just for basics. I'm so happy I was blessed to be able to help."

crossing guard, bus driver

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