Holocaust education challenge raises more than $180,000

The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation says its May fitness challenge brought in more than $180,000 to support Holocaust education grants for teachers and schools nationwide. The effort drew 200+ participants, honored a survivor's escape story and is expected to reach about 240 schools.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser is built to turn remembrance into classroom support, with money going to Holocaust education grants for teachers and schools across the country. - The foundation says the grants help students learn about the dangers of hate and the value of kindness, respect and courage. - The challenge also keeps survivor testimony and Holocaust memory in front of new audiences as direct survivor accounts become harder to preserve.

What happened: - The Journey For The Living fitness challenge raised more than $180,000 in May. - The challenge asks people, schools and organizations to walk, run or ride at least 15 miles during the month of May. - More than 200 participants across the U.S. raised money in their own communities for the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation grant program. - The campaign honors the 15-mile journey Mark Schonwetter, his mother and sister walked in one night to escape Nazi persecution. - The in-person kickoff walk took place in Livingston, New Jersey, where participants walked alongside Schonwetter.

The details: - The foundation says the average grant is about $750 per teacher. - Grants can pay for field trips, survivor guest speakers and educational materials. - The funds raised this year are expected to reach about 240 schools nationwide. - The foundation says it is the only organization that funds Holocaust education grants nationwide. - To date, the foundation says it has awarded more than $630,000 and supported more than 250,000 students. - The annual Voice of Kindness Award went to Emily Loeb, director of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. - Loeb is a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and became involved with the center in 2018 as a Generations Speaker. - Loeb helped bring the Holocaust Education Girl Scout patch to life and shaped its curriculum. - Loeb also founded the Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship for first-generation college women and has led work tied to Jewish tradition, social justice and environmental stewardship.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser mixes fitness, community organizing and Holocaust education to give families, schools and local supporters a concrete way to participate. - The awards and kickoff event show the foundation is using the campaign not just to raise money, but to build a wider network of educators, advocates and donors. - The strong sponsor list suggests the program has expanded into a broader philanthropic effort beyond a single awareness event.

What's next: - The foundation will use the new funds to expand grant support for teachers and schools over the coming months. - Journey For The Living is expected to continue as an annual May campaign. - More information is available on the foundation's website.

The bottom line: - A survivor's escape story has become a nationwide fundraiser that is sending six figures to Holocaust education and reaching hundreds of schools.