Clanton Elementary School teacher, Jessica Ellison (far left) and Easter Seals Marketing Coordinator Kathryn Hern (far right) with Ellison's Kindergarten class during their pizza party Monday. The students were recognized for raising the most money in the school for the Easter Seals' Disablility Services Walk With Me fundraiser.

Jessica Ellison’s kindergarten class at Clanton Elementary was recognized Monday for being the school’s top fundraising class for the Easter Seals’ Walk With Me event.

The students dug into their pockets and gave money for the annual event, which raises funds for individuals and families living with disabilities and other special needs.

To help raise money, the school held Hat Day where each student brought in donations to be allowed to wear a hat that day.

Collectively, Ellison’s class raised $94, which also earned them a pizza party.

“The students really enjoyed Hat Day — we had it for two days in a row,” said Ellison. I was surprised at how excited they were about it. Most of them wore sports teams and some wore their little league baseball hats – there was even a Cat In The Hat.”

The nonprofit organization has a pediatrics program in Pelham, where they teach speech, occupational and physical therapy and speech therapy in Spanish said Kathryn Hern, the organization’s marketing coordinator.

Carter Blencowe is the student ambassador for Clanton County Elementary.

“It’s a way to get students involved,” said Hern. “They become invested in Easter Seals, learn why it’s important and have a personal connection with our cause.”