Forty DECA students, 15 parents, and 300 drivers raised $6,000 for the marketing club and countless other Wareham High School activities at the Drive 4 UR School event on Saturday, September 28.

The Drive 4 UR School program -- the second held at Wareham High in recent years -- was hosted by the Ford Motor Company and Wareham Ford. For every person who took a new Ford vehicle for a spin, Ford donated $20 -- up to $6,000.

The community had no problem helping the students hit the $6,000 max. Organizers predicted the money was raised well before the six-hour event, held at Town Hall, was complete.

"It was a great community event," said Cindy Sylvia, a Wareham High School teacher and advisor of DECA, which stands for "Distributive Education Clubs of America" and helps students gain marketing knowledge and skills needed to build a strong business background.

Wareham has sent students to DECA competitions both regionally and throughout the country.

"Not having enough money is not a reason not to give a kid an opportunity to learn," noted Sylvia, explaining that the Drive 4 UR School fundraiser will be a big help to some families.

This year, Sylvia allowed members of other high school clubs to use the Drive 4 UR School event to raise money. Students who volunteered could earn $10 for every driver who mentioned their name. The other half of the donation went to the DECA club.

Students greeted drivers, handed out the necessary programs, and kept track of donations.

Wareham Ford donated hot dogs, chips, and drinks. The Mad Batter Bakery -- which sells cupcakes from a renovated school bus -- was on hand and donated half of its profits to the sophomore class.

There were no sales pitches during the test drives, but Wareham Ford did inadvertently sell two vehicles, Sylvia said. Drivers could try out a sedan, a hybrid, SUVs, and a pick-up truck.

Sylvia thanked parent volunteer Joyce Bacchiocchi for helping her organize the event, as well as Ford and all the other parents and students who made the event successful.

"I just love our kids and I want everyone else to fall in love with them too," Sylvia said with a smile. "It's easy with events like this."