More than 350 parents, teachers and students sporting St. Patrick's Day green poured into the gym of Scarselli Elementary on Tuesday night for the school's second annual March Madness literacy fundraiser.
In fact, there were two separate fundraisers for two separate causes: a book fair for the school's literacy program and a basket raffle for the school's scholarship fund, which is used for Douglas High graduates that attended Scarselli.
The parent-teacher organization also hosted a spaghetti feed.
School officials wouldn't release totals from the fundraisers, but said the event was successful.
"I want to say a big thank you to all the families that contributed," said Janice Gearty, third-grade teacher and event organizer.
She said the basket raffle raised enough money to fund about four scholarships.
"It was a huge success," she said.
Fifth-grader Dylan Hinks, a member of the school's Cheetah Club, sold ice cream with his classmates.
"This is exciting, a fun time for everyone to get together," he said. "I'm grateful doing it. I'm meeting new people, helping people, and getting to know them better."
Gearty was heartened to see so much support from the community, despite the tough economy.
"Even with the economy the way it is, our families really came through," she said.
