Students wear hats to raise money for Havre toddler

Lincoln-McKinley Primary School joined several schools across Montana to raise money for Havre 14-month-old Finnley Foster, who has severe combined immune deficiency, by wearing hats at school.

Finnley is the daughter of Katie and Havre sports referee Pat Foster. When she was 4-months-old, Finnley was taken to an immunologist at Seattle Children's Hospital where she was diagnosed with a form of immunodeficiency that leads to susceptibility to infections. Lincoln-McKinley Principal Holly Bitz said doctors haven't figured out which form of the immunodeficiency Finnley has.

"Wear a Hat Day" was the idea of Conrad High School Principal Ken Larson, who knows Finnley's father. He emailed principals and superintendents across the state and told them about Finnley and his idea of how students and parents can get involved and raise money to help Pat and Katie with expenses.

Word got around to Lincoln-McKinley staff.

Bitz said a few teachers heard what was happening and suggested "Wear a Hat Day" during last week's staff meeting Wednesday. They wanted to show community support for Finnley and her parents.

Bitz said, except for during recess, students are not allowed to wear hats in school.

Teachers gave a flier to students to take home and tell parents about Finnley's situation and Larson's "Wear a Hat Day" idea and that students would be allowed to wear a hat for a dollar.

Bitz said more than 100 students, more than a third, participated in the fundraising effort Thursday. Some staff members pitched in and paid for students who wanted to wear a hat but didn't have a dollar. Staff members wanted to make sure any student who wanted to wear a hat was able to. Bitz added the students, although "pretty excited," behaved "very appropriate." She said the students were also glad they were helping out a little girl in the process.

"There's a few Disney characters, there's a lot of bunny ears and Easter bonnets because we're so close to the Holiday. And a few sports hats," Bitz said, referring to the hats students wore.

By Thursday afternoon, Bitz said $382 had been raised.

"Thanks to all those who were able to donate. We appreciate it. We wish Finnley good health," Bitz said.