The portents of rain weren’t enough to keep students, parents, faculty and staff from once again swarming the Blackford campus on April 13 for this year’s Cancer Walk. The cause raised more than $7,300 for Camp Okizu, which provides fun outdoor activities to cancer-stricken youths.

Money was raised through donations and sales of T-shirts, water bottles, baked goods and more. Some of the money was raised in advance through T-shirt sales.

Flags honoring cancer victims and survivors were staked along the walking path, which had a steady stream of pedestrians for the duration of the event. Attendees enjoyed the carnival-like atmosphere, enjoying cotton candy and blowing bubbles, as well as singing along to the music selection played by Mark Gelineau, middle school English teacher.

When the rain finally did start to pour, Michael Schmidt, middle school computer science teacher and founder of the Cancer Walk, had just begun his yearly dance to conclude the event as The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart of Mine” rang across the field. Other attendees joined him before the rain became too heavy to bear.

“Dancing in the rain with the students and all my friends at Harker will make this one of the most memorable Cancer Walks,” Schmidt said.

Donations in the form of cash or check (made out to Camp Okizu or The Harker School) are still being accepted and can be brought to the front office of the Blackford campus.