Foxcroft School's Junior Class raised more than $3,500 Friday to build a school library in a developing nation with a walkathon that saw more than 140 students, faculty, family and friends trekking five miles under bright if slightly cool skies. The event's beneficiary, Room To Read, is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading literacy, education and gender equity in developing countries.

Before the walk, Junior Class President Miranda Gali of Middleburg, her fellow officers and Junior Class advisors Barbara Conner and Deb Hogan thanked those who had helped organize the event, as well as all the enthusiastic participants. Huntington Lyman and Claire Nichols, two local residents, Hill School faculty, and longtime supporters of Room To Read spoke to the group about what the organization before joining in the walk along Foxcroft and Snake Hill roads.

Room to Read, a nonprofit based in San Francisco with offices around the world, works with communities and local governments in developing countries to establish libraries, create local language children's literature, construct schools, and provide education to girls in areas where it is not common.

Foxcroft's Junior Class has a goal of raising $5,000 – enough to create an entire school library – and a deadline of May 1. Individuals who want to support the effort can make tax-deductible contributions of any size. Checks payable to Room to Read may be mailed to: Class of 2014 Walkathon; Foxcroft School; P.O. Box 5555; Middleburg, VA 20118 or given to members of the Class.