Heavenly Hats Parade at Erieview Elementary School in Avon Lake

Erieview Elementary School Principal Melissa Isaly-Johns first heard about the grassroots organization, Heavenly Hats, she knew it was something she wanted the school to support. The Heavenly Hats Foundation collects and distributes brand new hats of all kinds to those heroes of all ages who lose their hair due to the treatment of cancer, or the many other medical conditions which may cause hair loss. The Heavenly Hats Foundation was founded by Anthony Leanna of Green Bay, Wisconsin, when he was only 10-years-old. Heavenly Hats is an official 501 (c) 3 organization. Since 2001, Heavenly Hats has donated over 4,000,000 brand new hats to cancer patients nationwide. Leanna is now serving in the United States Coast Guard, but is still very active with the Heavenly Hats Foundation.

Isaly-Johns enlisted the support of the school’s student council members and the school began collecting donations for the organization. Students and staff were asked to make a donation ($1 or whatever amount they chose) to the Heavenly Hats Foundation for the honor of wearing their favorite hat to school for the day and participate in a Heavenly Hat Parade. Students raised more than $700 for the organization and the money will be used to pay for the shipping of the brand new hats to the patients and hospitals around the country.

A special ‘Hat Parade’ recently took place with students/staff walking around the school and through the Avon Lake Public Library parking lot which is across the street from the school. A contest was also held for the grade level that had the most participants wearing a hat for the Hat Parade.

Winners were photographed and are on display on the front bulletin board at the school and received the School Spirit Banner to hang in their hallway.

The winners of the Heavenly Hat Participation Award for the grade level that wore the most hats are:

• 3rd Place: First Grade
• 2nd Place: Fourth Grade
• 1st Place Winners: Second Grade

For more information on Heavenly Hats, go to heavenlyhats.org. Donations can also be made online.