Baker Student Leads Kids of STEEL Fundraising Effort

Run for a Reason is part of the Kids of STEEL program and the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. Through the after-school program, students trained with classmates by running a cumulative 25.2 miles before completing the final mile together during the Kids Marathon on Saturday, May 2, officially reaching the marathon distance of 26.2 miles.

As part of the Run for a Reason initiative, students collected donations from friends and family to support charities that were meaningful to them.

In addition to Annabelle, Baker students Josh Baldwin, Chase Ingalise and Sadie Ingalise also participated in the fundraising effort, each raising more than $350 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Casey’s Clubhouse and the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, respectively. Together, the four students raised more than $3,000 for charity.

The Baker Elementary Kids of STEEL program is led by school nurse Holly Fisher and first-grade teacher Karleen Bileck, with additional support from staff volunteers Amy O'Korn, Tina Lach, Cortney Bryant and Amana Sichko, as well as several parent volunteers.

“These incredible students worked hard to raise funds for charities close to their hearts, and because of their amazing efforts, Upper St. Clair earned a spot in the first heat on race day,” Mrs. Fisher said. “Even more exciting, Baker Elementary finished at the top of the Kids of STEEL leaderboard with an amazing $3,077.73 raised for charity.”

Kids of STEEL has become an important part of the Baker school community since launching in 2018. This year, more than 130 students participated in the program, with 104 students completing the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon.

Mrs. Fisher said one of the most meaningful aspects of the program is its commitment to inclusion.

“One of the things I love most about Kids of STEEL at Baker is that it truly is for everyone,” she said. “Every child, regardless of skill level, pace or physical ability, has a place on our team. We work hard to make practices inclusive and adaptive so that all students can participate in ways that are meaningful and successful for them, including students with limited mobility.”

At Baker, the program emphasizes far more than athletic performance.

“It is about showing up, encouraging one another, setting goals, building confidence and being part of something bigger than yourself,” Mrs. Fisher said. “Every student deserves to feel included, supported and excited to be part of a team.”

Mrs. Fisher praised the students not only for their fundraising success, but also for the compassion and determination they demonstrated throughout the program.

“We are so proud of these students for showing what it means to lead with kindness, compassion and community spirit,” she said. “Their dedication supported four deserving charities and made a positive impact both within USC and beyond.”

Baker parents Elizabeth Gesk and Kelly Ingalise have volunteered to assist with next year’s Run for a Reason effort to help continue growing the program.

“Together, we hope to encourage even more students and families to get involved and help us make an even bigger impact,” Mrs. Fisher said.

For Baker students, Kids of STEEL is about community, encouragement, belonging and movement for everybody.

“Watching our students grow, support one another and discover what they are capable of is one of the most rewarding parts of this program,” Mrs. Fisher said. “Seeing them cross the finish line on race day with huge smiles on their faces and medals around their necks, knowing they accomplished something they worked so hard for, is the most rewarding part of this program.”

All three Upper St. Clair elementary schools – Baker, Eisenhower and Streams participated in this year’s Kids of STEEL program.