It was another successful year for Evans City elementary and middle school students last week when the school held its fifth annual Saulle's Teddy bear Official Memorial Parade —dubbed S.T.O.M.P—on the school grounds.

Held in memory of beloved Kindergarten teacher Linda Saulle—who died in 2007 of colon cancer—the event raised $10,604.04 for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Saulle, 57, spent 17 years at Evans City Elementary. Prior to that, she owned her own daycare business and taught for nine years before coming to the Seneca Valley School District.

Known for her love of stuffed animals, Saulle held a Teddy Bear picnic each year for her kindergartners, which served as the inspiration for the walk in her memory.

During the parade, students, faculty, and staff —some carrying Teddy Bears—walk around the school to raise money toward cancer research. The students are asked to collect donations from parents and businesses.

The classroom that raises the most money gets to keep in their room, for one year,  a special bear that resembles Saulle, right down to the glasses she wore.

In 2009, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute nominated Evans City for their fundraising efforts, and they also were awarded the 2009 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award by The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

—Photos and information submitted by Seneca Valley School District. Have news you'd like to share with Patch readers? Email information and photos to Editor Jessica Sinichak at jessica.sinichak@patch.com or visit our Neighborhood Gallery.