Two Evergreen Park School District 124 schools teamed up to raise $1,395 for Little Company of Mary Hospital’s Breast Health Center by hosting the eighth annual Panthers Walk for Hope on Oct. 20. 

Students and staff members from Central Middle School and Northwest Elementary School walked to support the millions of people who are fighting or have beaten breast cancer, which includes several staff members and parents of current students.

The money raised came from donations and the purchase of special T-shirts created to commemorate the event.

CMS seventh-grader Kristen Smith took part in the walk for the second time this year, and said she was happy that she and her classmates decided to walk because it shows that they “really care about others.”

“I didn’t just do it for the people who have or had breast cancer, I did it for all those people who are sick,” she said. “I wanted to let them know that I’m here and I care for them, and that I believe in them.”