BELHAVEN — A local preschool is gearing up for a fundraiser that will give back to kids in need.

Friday, Totsland Preschool in Belhaven will host its annual Trike-A-Thon and chicken and rib plate fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the trike-a-thon, in which Totsland preschoolers will ride a track around the parking lot, according to Verna Whitney, director of the school. Children who participate are encouraged to bring their own tricycle or bike, but those without can use those belonging to the school.

Whitney said students have been going around the community and asking for donations from residents, sponsoring them to participate in the trike-a-thon.

“The way we look at it is kids giving to other kids,” Whitney said. “It teaches them how to give at an early age. We’ll be out there rooting them on. It’s just a fun thing.”

The chicken and rib plates, cooked by a volunteer, will be sold from 11:30 a.m. until sold out, and will include buttered potatoes, string beans, bread and dessert.

The preschool is also hosting a raffle for a Michael Kors purse. Tickets will be available for purchase up until the raffle, which will be held Aug. 28, Whitney said.

St. Jude Children’s Hospital, based out of Memphis, Tenn., was founded in 1962 as a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on the treatment and curing of catastrophic diseases and illnesses in children, according to its website. The Trike-A-Thon is a program established to teach preschool and daycare students’ riding-toy safety, as well as the importance of helping others, while benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Whitney said the hospital sent the preschool materials related to bike safety, as well as other information about giving back, in preparation for the event. Last year, the school raised approximately $2,000 to donate to St. Jude, and the school encourages the community to donate to participating children to help make a bigger impact.

“It’s important the community and surrounding area gets involved because it would mean we could raise more money to be a bigger help to children (at the hospital),” Whitney said.

Totsland Preschool is located at 644 W. Old County Road in Belhaven. For more information, call 252-943-8930.