PORTAGE | Student Council members, their families and community member trekked the track at the Portage High School field house Saturday to raise money for the Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.

"We chose Riley's because (patients) are kids and closer to our age, so we can better relate to them," said Andrea Falk, a junior.

The walk-a-thon was sponsored by the PHS Student Council, and Riley is the charity of choice for the Indiana Association of Student Councils.

"We started planning a little over a month ago," Falk said. "People were encouraged to call around to local businesses and ask for donations."

Dennis and Andrea Golden and their daughter Tina made quick laps around the track. Their son Andrew is a senior at PHS and a member of the Student Council. Tina Golden, a freshman, is student body president and member of the Student Council.

In 2006 the council held a powder-puff football fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Dennis Golden said.

Last year, the Student Council fundraiser was a dance-a-thon.

"They partnered with the National Honor Society," said Student Council advisor Barb Lochmondy. "The charity was Pennies for Patients, a program that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society."