For three years running, pupils at Jefferson Elementary School, 520 Elm St., Emmaus, have raised $5,000 by running laps.

With luck, this year will bring the count to four.

Donations continue to come in for the Race for Education, Becca Kahle, president of the school PTO and an organizer of this year's race said. Pupils from kindergarten through fifth grade run and walk laps around the track at Emmaus High School to raise money. Donations are made per lap and can range from $5 to $105, according to Kahle. The Race for Education is the biggest fundraiser for the school.

"Every little bit helps," Kahle said in a telephone interview.

Funds raised through the event are used for classroom supplies, assemblies and field trips. Funds go into an overall fund teachers throughout the school can use.

On race day, pupils and teachers walk to the Emmaus High School track from Jefferson Elementary and walk back. A special cookout lunch is made. Pupils participate in the race in hour-long blocks, each block of time dedicated to specific grade levels. Trophies are awarded to the top three finishers in each grade.

The children enjoy the event because they do it themselves, Kahle said. Plus, the event is outside.

New to the race this year was the awarding of white carnations to teachers as part of teacher appreciation week, Kahle said. George's Greenhouse, 183 Ridge St., donated the flowers. The race just happened to coincide with teacher appreciation week this year.