Students at St. John’s Lutheran School hosted their annual Get On Track jogathon on Sept. 25.

Each year this event involves students from preschool through eighth grade in an all-day event to emphasize fitness and raise funds for the school as well as other charities. The jogathon was originally set up to help raise funds for the school’s track and field, which were completed in 2002.

Since then, the event has raised funds not only for school programs but also to help local and national charities. The event is held on the school’s track, with parents and teachers joining the kids for a day of running and walking. Students in each classroom from preschool through eighth grade choose a charity to sponsor and donate 25 percent of the donations received.

The charities include Cope Family Center, Samaritan’s Purse, The Table, Wildlife Center, Prison Fellowship Ministry – Angel Tree, Compassion International, Volunteer Center of Napa County, Child Abuse Prevention Programs, Drop in the Bucket and St. Jude Hospital. “This is a great opportunity for our students to learn about local charities and the important work they do. They also gain the satisfaction of helping others above and beyond themselves,” said St. John’s principal, Joel Wahlers. This year, the event raised almost $25,000.