Dearborn School's Walk-A-Thon Raises Funds for Cipriano Memorial

School is out for the summer in Dearborn, but efforts are still going strong to support a member of the Dearborn Public Schools family who was killed this year.

On Thursday, just after the last classes ended for the 2011-12 school year, teachers, administrators, students and community members gathered at to raise money for the Cipriano Memorial Fund.

The fund was created in honor of the district's director of business services, Robert Cipriano, who was killed in an

Thursday's event, the JKLP Walk-A-Thon, was named for the words "Just Keep Loving People," which were . Attendees who made donations were given JKLP wristbands, and many walked the track around the high school's athletic fields in support of the cause.

"The Walk-A-Thon was something everyone can do," explained Edsel Athletic Director Robert Picano, who helped organize the event. "Bob loved fitness. he loved running."

Proceeds will benefit the Robert Cipriano Memorial Cross Country Meet, the Cipriano Scholarship, and the Cipriano family.

The meet and scholarship were as a way to honor Cipriano's legacy of passion for athletic programs and the students of the district. Since then, multiple fundraising efforts have come out of DPS, including a talent show on June 6 at , and a fundraising campaign organized by the Dearborn Education Foundation.

The track meet, open to any middle school students in the district, will be held in October.

"We just want to help his family through a rough time," added Edsel Assistant Principal Sue Noland.

No goals were set for the fundraiser. According to Picano–they just wanted to help out in any way possible.

"Ten cents is better than zero," he said. "Anything we raise is going toward the cause."

Other Ways to Support the Cipriano Family

• Rose-colored bracelets with the words "Just Keep Loving People" are being sold by Dearborn Public Schools. The color is in honor of Cipriano's wife, Rose; the words were spoken by Tanner Cipriano at his father's funeral. Bracelets are available in the Communications Office at the Administration Building, 18700 Audette, or online through the Dearborn Education Foundation at www.dearbornedfoundation.org.
• The Dearborn Education Foundation has also teamed up with Comerica Bank and DFCU Financial to collect donations for the Cipriano Memorial Fund. Direct donations can be made by visiting a DFCU branch, or a local Comerica branch. Checks should be made payable to the Dearborn Education Foundation with the memo “Cipriano Memorial Fund” on the check. All proceeds collected by the Foundation will directly benefit the cross-country event, scholarship and Cipriano family.