Burro Goes to Top of the Class at Buist Academy

By Bayan Raji

Fundraisers often have unique themes, but the “Kiss the Burro” challenge at Buist Academy in Charleston, S.C., deserves an A-plus for originality.

Teacher Robin Polasek and her husband, Daniel, raised $3,000 for the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson, with some help from a miniature donkey, several classrooms of hardworking elementary students and a company with a corporate matching donations policy.

Daniel Polasek was diagnosed with melanoma in August 2007. Local doctors told him he had months to live, but the couple refused to believe they would have such a short time left together. That’s why they came to M. D. Anderson.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you now if it wasn’t for M. D. Anderson,” Daniel says.

While Daniel received treatment, he and Robin interacted with a lot of the other patients, especially children. Their courage, she says, gave her a new outlook about Daniel’s situation. She knew she wanted to do something to make a difference for them.

“We had to do something for these children, more than just donating a little stuffed animal,” Robin says. “We don’t want anyone to have to go through what these babies go through or what we’ve had to go through.”

While Daniel was in Houston for treatment, Robin started making plans for a fundraiser. She met a woman who owns miniature donkeys and offered to give Robin a burro for free. The Polaseks named the burro Wen-Jen after M. D. Anderson oncologist Wen-Jen Hwu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of melanoma medical oncology, whom they believe saved Daniel’s life.

After all the pieces were in place, Robin challenged the classes at Buist Academy to raise $50 each. In return, the teacher for that class would have to kiss the burro. The idea was a big hit, and students eagerly accepted the challenge.

The Polaseks believe their efforts helped people in the community become more aware and compassionate for those fighting cancer.

One parent, for example, saw firsthand the impact on her son, a student in Robin’s Spanish class. Marie Barber says she was amazed by his desire to do more housework in exchange for money to contribute to the cause.

“He vacuumed, cleaned windows, swept the floor, helped me clean the garage, cleaned the back porch, helped me with yard work and helped his 3-year-old brother get dressed, among other things,” she says. “He became quite the little negotiator — ‘Mom, if I sweep the kitchen floor, how much can I earn?’ ”

When the big day came, the school had raised $1,500. A special assembly gave students the opportunity to watch 25 teachers as well as the school principal make good on their promise and, one by one, kiss the burro.

Barber, who works for Bristol-Myers Squibb, checked her company’s matching donations policy and filled out the necessary paperwork, bringing the total to $3,000.

The Polaseks continue to raise money for M. D. Anderson through Wen-Jen, offering photos with the animal for a fee at various community events.

“The community is aware of M. D. Anderson now,” Daniel says. “We’re teachers, and we try to educate as we continue this mission.”