The Bear Creek School Supports Seattle Children's and Strong Against Cancer

REDMOND, Wash. - Feb. 8, 2019 - PRLog -- The Bear Creek School continued its support of Strong Against Cancer (http://www.strongagainstcancer.org) to promote school spirit and engage the school population for a worthy cause last week, January 28 – February 1, 2019. Throughout the week, students sold purple capes and other purple spirit gear with proceeds benefiting Strong Against Cancer. Students raised $3,801 for the cause which included donations and the sale of 256 shirts, 106 capes, 41 masks and armbands, and 43 pairs of socks!

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Bear Creek Compassion in Action program, part of its Bear Creek Leads initiative, has partnered with Strong Against Cancer. The effort began in 2015 when students sold handmade purple capes and held a benefit concert to support cancer research. The campaign has continued to grow over the last few years and in 2016 and 2017 even included our neighbor and league rival, The Overlake School. Through the Compassion in Action program, Bear Creek students also support Hopelink in Redmond by conducting a food drive each fall and Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic by serving on an annual mission trip.

In preparation for Spirit Week and the fundraiser, Dean of Students Rev. Dr. Jeff Gephart spoke on "All for One" at grades K-12 Chapels, challenging students to consider how God unites us in the Body of Christ and calls us to care for those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26). Then to launch Spirit Week on January 28, Upper School students learned from Science Department Chair Department Donna Dunn about cancer and what scientists at Seattle Children's Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research are trying to do with innovative immunotherapies and heard from Mark Stump, a Bear Creek parent, who spoke about his journey with cancer and inspired students to make a difference. During Spirit Week, Upper School ASB led an item drive to support the needs of families with patients at Seattle Children's, collecting donations of everything from reusable water bottles to swim suits, crayons to board games. The week also provided many opportunities for students to enjoy a spirit of unity with activities such as crazy dress days, lunchtime contests, a pep assembly on Friday after lunch, and a K-12 "Purple With a Purpose" photo!

On Friday evening, February 1, the entire student body was encouraged to don purple attire and come out to support the cause and the Grizzlies at the home basketball games against the University Prep Pumas. The packed gym culminated a successful Spirit Week and represented the Grizzlies' strong support for fight against cancer.

About The Bear Creek School
Founded in 1988, in Redmond, Washington, The Bear Creek School (http://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.

Celebrating 30 years and 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 to 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.