Preschool kids race to earn $36,500 for St. Jude research hospital

The children of Turtle Rock Preschool secured the shoelaces and velcro straps on their shoes tight for a race to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Irvine preschool raised more than $36,500 through the Kids on the Move-A-Thon for the Tennessee-based research organization.

The race Wednesday had the school’s older students run around the campus while the school’s infants and toddlers were taken around by buggy.

“We are so excited to come together and give back to the community in such a meaningful way,” Maajed Abahusayn, Turtle Rock’s owner, said in a statement. “This year, we were inspired to donate to St. Jude, as one of our students is undergoing treatment at their facilities.”

Last year, the preschool also raised more than $23,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County, based in Orange.