POLAND — Sixth-graders in Regional School Unit 16’s Gifted and Talented Math program recently hosted a Carnival for a Cause to raise funds for the Dempsey Center. The students organized games, arts and crafts, a pie sale and contest.

“The students decided to create a carnival fundraiser as part of the Poland Community School’s annual fall festival,” Ell Fanus, a teacher for the program, said.

“Each of the 11 students took a role in planning the games, arts and crafts, pie sale and contest,” Fanus said. “The students also decided how to publicize the activities to the students and the community.”

Games included a sack race, dart throw, cup game and touchdown toss, and the arts and crafts included cup weaving and leaf reefs. All the money raised went to the Dempsey Center in Lewiston, where free support to cancer patients and their families is provided.

“With the support of Dempsey Center’s fundraising coordinator, Tish Caldwell, students were able to team with the organization called Positive Tracks to maximize their fundraising efforts,” Fanus said. “The organization matched, dollar for dollar, all the funds raised during the carnival.”

According to the organization’s website, Positive Tracks “combines getting active with giving back to help young people make the world awesome, starting with themselves.”

The organization also has a partnership with the Dempsey Center. During the carnival, the students raised $640 and with the matching $640 from Positive Tracks, $1,280 was raised for the Dempsey Center’s cancer patients and their families.

“A student-led project like the Carnival for a Cause is an excellent way to combine educational learning and community service,” RSU 16 Superintendent Tina Meserve said. “Community service is an integral part of our curriculum and mission which helps prepare students to be successful contributing citizens of the community.”

RSU 16 serves Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls.

FMI: www.rsu16.org.