Rocking Wellness and Kindness With a School Fundraiser That Makes It Easy
By Ryan Regan
At Lake Bluff Elementary, mindfulness is part of who we are. Every morning, our principal plays a short audio clip to help students get their minds ready for the day — strategies to stay calm, focused and, as we like to say, “ready to rock today!” It’s the perfect way to start the morning.
So, when I first learned about SHAPE America’s health. moves. minds.® program, I thought, This fits us perfectly. I felt the program aligned beautifully with our school’s mindfulness culture and my own goal of helping students move, think and feel their best — all while building a stronger community.
As my school’s preK-5 wellness teacher, I’ve always believed that wellness should go beyond fitness — it should also build character, confidence and connection. Turns out, switching to the health. moves. minds. fundraiser was the smoothest transition ever because it ties into that same philosophy! I just plugged health. moves. minds. activities right into what we were already doing.
Success From the Start
Our first year, we raised money to support our school’s PTO. It was a great way to introduce the program and get families on board. The next year, we decided to raise money for our own wellness program — and that’s when the magic really happened.
Students loved knowing that the money they raised would come right back into their wellness classes. They were personally invested because they could see how their efforts would make a difference. And wow, did they ever deliver.
Not only did we meet our fundraising goal — we tripled it! With those funds, we were able to purchase two class sets of pedometers and two 9 Square in the Air games (plus the activity packages). The energy in the gym the day those boxes arrived was off the charts.
Students couldn’t wait to set everything up and get moving. The pedometers have become an instant hit, sparking friendly competition and personal goal-setting. And 9 Square? Let’s just say it’s the new fan favorite — I’ve even had students trying to “book” their 9 Square time like it’s a court reservation.
Simple Setup, Shared Celebration
One thing that made this whole process so easy was working with Booster, SHAPE America’s fundraising partner. The entire Booster team really knows how to support schools. The step-by-step setup guide is foolproof, their staff is incredibly responsive, and the online fundraising platform runs like clockwork. I chose the online-only option, which meant Booster handled all donations directly through our website. That freed me up to focus on what really matters — connecting with students and building excitement in the gym.
Speaking of excitement, our big student incentive was a hit — and I mean literally sky-high. We promised that if students met their goal, our principal would “work from the roof” for a day! You can imagine the buzz that created.
Students talked about it nonstop, asking things like, “Do you think she’ll bring her laptop up there?” and “What if it rains?”
When the big day came, the principal set up shop with a desk, walkie-talkie and a few decorations made by the students. Every class that came out for recess looked up and waved, cheering her on.
It was one of those goofy, joy-filled moments that kids will remember for years — a perfect symbol of community spirit.
And, of course, we celebrated in true wellness style. We hosted a two-day Minute to Win It event — full of energy, laughter and just the right amount of chaos!
Day one was for our K-2 students, who spent an hour rotating through quick challenges that tested everything from balance to teamwork. Day two was for our 3rd–5th graders, and we gave them an hour and a half to go all out. The gym was buzzing with excitement, music blasting, and students cheering for each other as they tackled each challenge.
It was pure fun — the kind of event that reminds you why teaching wellness is the best job in the world.
More Than a Fundraiser
What really made this fundraiser special, though, wasn’t just the money raised or the equipment we bought — it was the impact on our school community. Parents sent messages saying how much their kids talked about health. moves. minds. at home. Teachers commented that the kindness and mindfulness lessons carried over into their classrooms. Students even began using phrases like “be mindful” or “show kindness” without prompting. That’s when you know something’s clicking.
In class, we used the health. moves. minds. lessons to reinforce social-emotional learning — things like gratitude, empathy and managing emotions. Students made real connections between what we were learning and how they treated one another during games and group activities. It wasn’t just about movement; it was about mindset.
As someone who’s coordinated many fundraisers, I can honestly say that health. moves. minds. is one of the most rewarding, teacher-friendly programs out there. It’s flexible, easy to manage, and full of meaningful content. It helps you teach lifelong skills and build school culture in a positive, movement-centered way.
And here’s the best part — when those new pedometers and 9 Square in the Air sets arrived, students proudly said, “We did this together.” That moment of pride and ownership is what health. moves. minds. is all about.
So if you’re a PE teacher thinking about trying it, my advice is simple: Do it. The process is smooth, the Booster team has your back, and your students will absolutely love it. You’ll end up strengthening your program while spreading kindness, mindfulness and movement throughout your school.
Our students are already asking, “What’s next year’s goal?” And with this much excitement and community buy-in, I know we’ll be “rocking today” — and every day — with health. moves. minds. for years to come.
Additional Resources
Ryan Regan teaches wellness at Lake Bluff Elementary School in Illinois and is the 2024 IAHPERD Elementary PE Teacher of the Year. He promotes social-emotional learning, movement and mindfulness through a standards-based approach aligned with SHAPE America. Ryan is passionate about creating a positive school culture where every student feels connected, confident and inspired to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Follow him on X @MrRLBES.