PORT ANGELES — Stevens Middle School students and staff raised $621 to support firefighters participating in the Seattle Columbia Center Climb.
Money from the Bring a Dollar fundraiser was collected by firefighters at an assembly Thursday.
The amount raised was more than what was collected in 2015, when students and staff amassed $502.74.
At the assembly, student organizer Anne Edwards announced that, this year, efforts would be broadened internationally to include Stevens’ guests, who were visiting from Mutsu City, Japan.
The 31st climb of the Big Climb, which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will be March 26.
During the climb of the 788-foot-tall Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, climbers walk up 69 floors, or 1,311 steps, to reach the observation deck.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Big Climb event raises money through individual and team fundraising, sponsorship and entry fees which is then invested in its mission to fund blood cancer research and support services for patients.
In a December dollar drive at Port Angeles High School, Leadership students led by student Erin Edwards brought in $551.52 in cash donations, mostly collected from staff and students.
To donate to the Port Angeles Fire Department’s effort, see http://tinyurl.com/PDN-pacancerclimb.