Bear Creek Promotes School Spirit and the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

REDMOND, Wash. - Jan. 30, 2017 - PRLog -- Last week, The Bear Creek School supported Strong Against Cancer (www.strongagainstcancer.org) to promote school spirit and engage the school population for a worthy cause. Throughout the week students sold purple capes and other purple spirit gear with proceeds benefiting Strong Against Cancer. The students raised $4,784.43 for the cause which included the sale of 203 shirts, 159 capes, 26 masks, 20 hats, and 24 pairs of socks!

This is the third consecutive year that the Bear Creek Leads' Compassion in Action program has partnered with Strong Against Cancer. In 2015 the students sold 130 capes and held a benefit concert, raising $1,510 to support cancer research. In 2016, the Upper School students led the charge donating $3,270 to Seattle Children's after a successful campaign culminating with Spirit Week the Bear Creek/Overlake basketball games. Through the Compassion in Action program, Bear Creek students also support Hopelink in Redmond by conducting a food drive each fall and the Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic by serving on an annual mission trip.

This year during the week of January 17, Dean of Students Rev. Dr. Jeff Gephart spoke at Chapel with K-12 students from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 about how showing comfort to others is something strong people do, and it helps others get stronger. Then during the week of January 23, Upper School students heard from researchers at the Seattle Children's Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research at their Monday morning Assembly and from Bear Creek alumnus Tyler Kowal '04 on his own battle with cancer at Chapel on Tuesday. Last week was also Spirit Week, so while the students engaged in crazy dress days, lunchtime contests, and a pep assembly on Friday after lunch, they also took time to reflect on how cancer has impacted those they love.

On Friday evening, the entire student body was encouraged to don their purple attire and come out to support the cause and the Grizzlies at the basketball games against local rivals, the Overlake Owls. In a show of solidarity for the cause and unity for the school, the gym was packed with purple all evening. Overlake students also supported the cause by selling T-shirts on Thursday and Friday at their school last week. Overlake's Upper School ASB donated $230 (included in total amount above) which was presented by Kellen Foster and Nate Cunningham during halftime of the varsity boys basketball game to Bear Creek's ASB Treasurer Price Ludwig. After the game, students from both schools posed together with a large banner proclaiming "Together in Our Fight."

About The Bear Creek School

Founded in 1988, in Redmond, Washington, The Bear Creek School (www.tbcs.org) is an independent classical Christian school that believes only when faith, mind, and heart are fed together can students experience the fullness of education which produces leaders who think well and are compelled to engage the world.

Recognized as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School, Bear Creek serves students from the greater Eastside and is housed on two campuses. Redmond Campus on Union Hill serves kindergarten through grade 12 students. Valley Campus, also in Redmond, serves preschool students. The Bear Creek School is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and AdvancED/Northwest Accreditation Commission.