• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Wacky walk-a-thon in Lakewood Ranch

The Gullett Elementary Walk-a-Thon was the most successful in school history.


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 10:00 a.m. March 24, 2021
  • East County
  • News
  • Share

B.D. Gullett Elementary School's Walk-a-Thon was filled with bubbles, blow-up arches, slime and a pig.

After students participated in the school's annual Walk-a-Thon March 5, students who raised at least $125 had the opportunity to slime Principal Todd Richardson. 

But that wasn't all. 

As an incentive for students to keep raising money, Richardson promised he would dress as a leprechaun and rollerblade around the school if the school raised $20,000. 

Then Richardson upped the ante by agreeing to kiss a pig if the school raised $30,000. 

The incentives kept coming and included Richardson working from the school's rooftop all day for $40,000, doing karaoke for $45,000 and having his hair and beard dyed in a rainbow for $50,000. 

The school raised a total of $69,690 for the Walk-a-Thon, which made it the most successful fundraiser in Gullett Elementary history.

Todd Richardson, the principal, sits as slime oozes down his clothes. Courtesy photo.
Todd Richardson, the principal, sits as slime oozes down his clothes. Courtesy photo.
Todd Richardson, the principal, fulfills his promise to kiss a pig if the school raises $30,000. The school raised nearly $70,000. Courtesy photo.
Todd Richardson, the principal, fulfills his promise to kiss a pig if the school raises $30,000. The school raised nearly $70,000. Courtesy photo.
Kindergartners Hank Hausfeld and Blaire Wilson run through bubbles after passing the rainbow arch. Courtesy photo.
Kindergartners Hank Hausfeld and Blaire Wilson run through bubbles after passing the rainbow arch. Courtesy photo.
Fourth grader Jaliyah Smith enjoys time outside during the walk-a-thon.
Fourth grader Jaliyah Smith enjoys time outside during the walk-a-thon.
Fifth graders Tommy Reel, Evan Larrick and Devin Raines take their turn at dumping cups of slime on Todd Richardson, the principal.
Fifth graders Tommy Reel, Evan Larrick and Devin Raines take their turn at dumping cups of slime on Todd Richardson, the principal.
Second grader Drew Levine laughs as second grader Sullivan Shea pours slime on the head of Todd Richardson, who is the principal.
Second grader Drew Levine laughs as second grader Sullivan Shea pours slime on the head of Todd Richardson, who is the principal.
Third grader Kaden Pomeroy throws a cup of slime on his principal, Todd Richardson.
Third grader Kaden Pomeroy throws a cup of slime on his principal, Todd Richardson.
Sixth graders Bryce Santoro and Lex Duis make their way around the field during the walk-a-thon.
Sixth graders Bryce Santoro and Lex Duis make their way around the field during the walk-a-thon.
Lyla Sherwin runs behind Lilly Sommers during the walk-a-thon. The school's walkathon raised nearly $70,000.
Lyla Sherwin runs behind Lilly Sommers during the walk-a-thon. The school's walkathon raised nearly $70,000.

 

Latest News

The dredging machine “Clearwater” digs a 13 foot, 180-foot-wide ditch on the bottom of New Pass, using pumps to carry the dredged sediment through miles-long pipes onto the northern end of Lido Key for a renourishment project.
  • February 4, 2026
New Pass dredge clears way for more boat traffic
  • February 4, 2026
Town’s investment portfolio logs solid performance in 2025
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
Commisisoner Liz Alpert (right) questions Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle during the hearing about the Bobby Jones clubhouse design as Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch looks on.
  • February 4, 2026
Contentious meeting results in pared down golf course clubhouse

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in News

Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
Manatee County administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and Charlie Bishop speak at a Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. On Jan. 28, all four spoke to commissioners about a temporary hiring freeze.
  • February 3, 2026
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts
The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
  • February 2, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold
Many Manatee County residents don't want to deliver large items to the landfill themselves. They want bulk pickup service to return.
  • January 31, 2026
Trash talk continues in Manatee County
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • January 29, 2026
Death of beloved cyclist leaves Village Idiots Cycling Club members in shock
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now