UM's Dr. Onelia Lage (left) receives a $5,000 check from Gulliver Student Council Treasurer Matthew Singer while Pat Martello looks on.

During the students' physical education class, 273 students jogged for dollars. The children solicited pledges from parents, teachers, friends and other family members and raised a total of $19,500.

Student Council Treasurer Matthew Singer presented a check for $5,000 to Dr. Onelia Lage of the University of Miami Pediatric Center to help in the future construction of the Batchelor Children's Center, slated be one of the largest research facilities in the nation.

Dr. Lage also received a check from the Gintel Family Foundation for $3,600.

Singer also presented a $5,000 check to Lina Castellanos, executive director of the Children's Home Society; a $2,000 check to Adopt-A-Pet's executive director Chip Briggs; and a $2,000 to Susan Gauthier of the Maternal Lifetyle Study of the University of Miami Pediatric Department to buy books, puzzles and other educational tools for children.

"We children enjoy helping children," said Student Council President Samantha Williams. "We hope we can make a difference."

The Student Council's purpose is to involve students in sharing ideas that will make the school and its community a better place. The council tries to encourage its members to work together, to promote good citizenship and to learn about the democratic process.

Overall winners at each grade level were first grade -- Gabby Navia, Gabriel Rodriquez, Alex Nealon, Nelly Weiser; second grade -- Ross Nigro, Nicholas Moztarzadeh, Levi Ellenby, Daniel Smith, Jean Louis Guinchard, Christina Lopez, Elonia McHenry; third grade -- Brent Luneburg, Jordan Muns, Manny Abella, Andy Tropin, Joseph Dorfman, Amanda Scherker, Melissa Wong, Carolina Figarola, Julie Silberman, Deni Kuru; fourth grade -- Nick Farago, Jillian Gil, Jackie Russo and Morgan Jonas.