It was still dark outside when Felisia Goni woke up Thursday morning.
The West Scranton High School sophomore isn't normally a big athlete, but that didn't stop her from walking from Pittston to Scranton.
"I never pictured myself walking a 10.8-mile walk," she said. "It's refreshing."
She was joined by about 30 other Invaders to "Walk Up the Line" on Thanksgiving morning. It was the third year for the event, which this year benefited the American Red Cross and victims of Hurricane-turned-Superstorm Sandy.
The walk began as a graduation project three years ago and has blossomed, explained Amy Rummerfield, a teacher and now adviser for the event. West Scranton students Jon Kobrynich and Brooke Spindler founded the fundraiser, selecting the route and name as a reference to the Laurel Line Railroad.
"That first year, it was just the four of us," Ms. Rummerfield said, looking around at her students with pride.
Cheeks were flush from the walk and the chilly morning, but Ms. Rummerfield and the students were all smiles as they prepared to hand over an oversize check for $1,000. This year, the students organized the event in only one week, she said.
The dedication of the teens was noted by Carmon Flynn, the executive director of the American Red Cross in Lackawanna, Bradford-Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.
"How can you turn down the kids?" he asked with a grin, adding that he was happy to give up a portion of his holiday morning for the group.
After accepting the check, Mr. Flynn told the students that he had shared the story of their efforts with other Thanksgiving volunteers working in the most impacted areas of New Jersey.
"If they're willing to give up their day, so am I," Mr. Flynn said of both groups.
The group, which included a Siberian husky named Aria, ended their trek at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel around 10:30 a.m. Aria's owner, sophomore Maritza Cherry, said the cause had a personal connection.
"My family in New York didn't have power," she said. "This will help with everything."
On a holiday marked by thankfulness and turkey consumption, sophomore class President Andrew Simpson said their efforts would have a bonus benefit.
"I wanted to help out with the hurricane relief because it was a tragedy that was close to us," he said. "Plus, you've get to exercise the turkey off before you even eat it."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter