GRANITE CITY — Students at St. Elizabeth Preschool in Granite City have learned some valuable lessons this spring, both about helping others and staying safe. On April 26, the PreK students took part in the annual Trike a Thon to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

The Trike a Thon has been going on since the parents of some of this year's participants were young — for over two-and-a-half decades. "We have had a Trike a Thon event for the past 26 years," says PreK teacher Lisa Dumoulin. "In that time we have raised over $40,000. This year families and friends of the students raised over $1,500."

Dumoulin says parents came to watch the Trike a Thon as helmet- and coat-clad children rode around the school parking lot, some on three-wheel bikes and most with training wheels. The weather was chilly but the children still enjoyed themselves, she says. "We were so lucky to get our event in just before the rain that day."

Not only did the children have fun, but they were taught lessons about safety issues, too. "The students had to learn about bike safety in the days before they rode," Dumoulin says. "Lessons such as 'always wear your helmet' and 'be careful near driveways.' Each student also earned a trike driving license."

The St. Elizabeth PreK program serves children ages 3 to 5 and about 60 children are enrolled.