[imagebrowser id=20]

Students at Rincon Valley Charter School in Santa Rosa are hoping to raise $1,000 for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing based on the idea of an eighth grader on campus.

Tatum Soltani came up with the idea of seventh and eighth graders walking or running silently for one mile to raise funds to send to The One Fund Boston, Inc. after a group discussion in Larkin O’Leary’s class.

To see photos from the event click here

“I have been hearing a lot of fundraisers that people have been doing, marathons and walks,” Soltani said. “This was a moment in silent but for a whole mile.”

The event last Friday prompted $650 in donations but Soltani and her classmates are hoping for more.

All 180 middle school students participated, Soltani said, and they were joined by students from neighboring Sequoia Elementary through the hour-long event.

“It wasn’t required,” she said. “We were really trying  to get everyone to participate. Not everyone donated, but it was nice to see that everyone did participate in the mile.”

Santa Rosa City Councilman Ernesto Olivares was on hand to speak with students Friday as well as parents and school staff.

For information on how to donate, call the school at 537-8640.