FORT WAYNE -- Fort Wayne Community Schools Wednesday kicked off its annual Kids Caring & Sharing fundraising event for Riley Hospital for Children at Wayne High School.

The fundraiser, in its fifth year, encourages students throughout the district to give at least $1 to the Indianapolis-based hospital, according to organizers.

Last year the district raised $28,453, with two-thirds of schools reaching their goal and seven collecting more than $1,000 each.

FWCS officials also used the occasion to introduce Andrew Armstrong, a freshman at New Tech Academy at Wayne. In November, Armstrong was named a Riley Champion for his inspirational bravery and commitment to help others.

Armstrong, 15, said he was 9 months old when he was airlifted to Riley with serious liver and kidney complications. He received a kidney transplant at age 8, and now regularly returns to the hospital for checkups.

As part of the Riley Champions Program, Armstrong will travel the state telling his story and raising awareness for the hospital.

For more on this story, see Thursday’s print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Thursday.

dhaynie@jg.net