Record fund-raising for “Smarter Than a 5th Grader” contest

RSVP fundraiser collects more than $100,000 in one year for first time

A quiz-show fundraiser for a La Crosse organization helping retired seniors set a new record over the weekend. 

The Coulee RSVP raised $127,000 through this year’s ‘Who Will Be Smarter Than a 5th Grader’ contest. 

That’s about 50% more than was collected a year ago. 

Most of the money was raised by the 16 teams of local celebrities and 5th grade students who competed in Saturday’s contest at Valley View Mall. 

The team of Gundersen CEO Scott Rathgaber and Spence student Asher Mask scored the most points to win the quiz, and also raised the most money of any team.