It could be a match made in heaven – Somonauk Christian students and families matched with residents who need a helping hand.

School volunteers are planning the first work-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the school on Saturday, May 5. Students of all ages, along with adult supervisors, will be matched with area residents requesting workers. Jobs could include things as simple as changing a light bulb to picking up sticks, washing windows, vacuuming, washing cars, planting flowers and more.

“The parents are as excited as the kids,” said volunteer Sue Fox. She said, because the students are all ages and sizes, they will be matched with projects appropriate to their abilities.

She said they are still accepting volunteers, sponsors and nominations for projects.

“We’re hoping we can help every family who is nominated,” Fox said. “Anyone can participate. They don’t need to have a connection with Somonauk Christian.”

Anyone can nominate a project, and donations to the fundraiser are not required to nominate a project.

Although the school is in Somonauk, Fox said families attend from as far away as Utica. Principal Dennis Keith said the school has an enrollment of 118, from 3-year-old prekindergarten students through high school seniors.

“We are trying to meet needs in the community. I believe what goes around, comes around,” Fox said.

“We had a walk-a-thon last year,” Keith said. “This year, we’re going to try to help some people.

“We are reaching out to do something for the community. We want to teach our students to reach out to the community; that’s a powerful message. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone to do for others,” Keith said.

A letter sent out to the community states: “If you are aware of someone who would be a good candidate for being the beneficiary of this type of help, please fill out a work service application to let us know of the particular need. Work service applications can be picked up at the school office. A committee will sort through the applications to determine which projects we will be able to take on. Our desire is to help as many people as possible, but we may not be able to handle all the requests.”

Keith said last year’s walk-a-thon brought in $13,000. “Our financial challenges are even greater this year,” he said.

For more information, contact the school at 815-498-2312 or online at www.somonaukchristian.com.