By Stefanie Jackson – Accawmacke Elementary School teachers are working with the community to raise money for former AES art teacher John Rudiger, known by many as simply “Mr. John,” who retired in June 2021 and has been diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer.
“Mr. John has always been so helpful and supportive of everyone here at school, so it was time to give back, especially when he needs it most,” said reading specialist Amanda Marshall, who has worked at Accawmacke Elementary for 19 years and organized fundraising efforts for Rudinger.
Over the course of his approximately 35-year career, Rudiger won over teachers, staff, students, and parents with his sense of humor and enthusiasm.
He is best known for “the many faces of Mr. John,” the various characters he played during themed family engagement events at school such as Muffins for Moms, Doughnuts for Dads, and Goodies for Grands.
Rudiger has played a variety of characters in costume, such as the Monopoly Man, the Lego man, John Travolta in “Grease,” and Fear, the purple, panicky character from Disney-Pixar’s “Inside Out.”
He set the stage for many of these themed events with his own designs and decorations and created backdrops for school plays.
Rudiger also was a frequent volunteer for Title I nights like Reading is Right Night and Friday Math Nights at Food Lion in Onley.
Marshall held a raffle at one of the most recent fundraising events for Rudiger, a paint party co-hosted by Marshall and Rosemary Gibbons at the Bloxom Fire Company Feb. 6, which was attended by about 16 to 20 people.
A local caterer provided dinner, dessert, and iced tea, and area businesses donated gift cards, candles, and themed gift baskets for the raffle, and door prizes.
Accawmacke Elementary students also have made and sent “Mr. John” get well cards.
Marshall recalled the creativity Rudiger put into his volunteer work at Accawmacke Elementary. It was “all for the sake of the children … to make the children happy,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”
Donations for Rudiger are still being accepted through a GoFundMe started by his niece, Sierra Rudiger, found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-uncle-bu Donations and cards also may be sent directly to John Rudiger, P.O. Box 387, Melfa, VA 23410.
