Harold F. Scott Elementary School students will be walking the school’s path tomorrow to raise money for two charitable organizations, the Andréa Rizzo Foundation and the Justine Sherburne Technology Fund.

The Rizzo Foundation is helping to realize the dream of Andréa Rizzo, a childhood cancer survivor who wanted to bring dance therapy to support children with cancer and special needs patients in hospitals, schools and other medical facilities. Dance therapy had helped her as a child with cancer, and she was on the way to becoming a dance therapist before she died after being hit by a drunk driver at the age of 24.

The Rhode Island non-profit was started by Andréa’s mother to raise funds for various dance therapy support programs for pediatric cancer patients. Currently, the foundation has expanded into 10 states. Here in Rhode Island, the Rizzo Foundation supports Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Melissa Sabatini, organizer of Scott School’s walkathon as well as a dance therapist herself, said, “Although Andréa Rizzo Foundation has started to expand outside the state, the funds raised go directly to sponsoring dance therapy here in Rhode Island at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. It is really an inspiring story and a beautiful foundation. It’s national now, but it all started right here in Rhode Island.”

The Justine Sherburne Technology Fund directly benefits Scott Elementary School. The fund was created in 2011 as a memorial fund for Justine Sherburne, a 29-year veteran at Scott School. Sherburne was constantly incorporating new technology into her curriculum to create a more interactive and student centered classroom.

In a press release, Principal Virginia Bolano said, “We are very fortunate to be able to keep her passion for technology moving forward, even though she is not here with us.”

Through this memorial fund, the elementary school has been able to purchase new technologies for their classrooms.

Two hundred twenty-five students from all grades will be taking turns walking the path around school, stopping at different stations for different activities including, dance, hopscotch, hula-hoops and more.

Sabatini said, “Scott School is always looking to do community service and they do something different every year. This is just another way we can help.”

The rain date for the event is Friday, April 10. Donations are also all due to the school on that day. All proceeds will be split evenly between the two organizations.

For more information of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation visit their website at www.DreasDream.org

If you would like to donate in the name of Scott School, write out a check to the Andréa Rizzo Foundation, but mail it to the school at 833 Centerville Rd., Warwick, Rhode Island 02886.