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The countywide Spirit Challenge is a remarkable show of competition and unity.
Schools throughout the county spent about three weeks raising money for the Norville Children’s Shelter of Kaufman County. In a unified effort to help the shelter, they held auctions, played dodge ball, bought T-shirts and enlisted businesses for special fundraising nights.
Many of the younger children brought their pennies, nickels and dimes.
At the same time, the competition was fierce to see which district could raise the most. Kaufman won that competition pulling together about $41,000, up from about $37,000 last year.
Forney was second with about $37,000. It won last year with about $41,000. Altogether, the districts raised about $130,000, topping last year’s $120,000.
“That’s breathtaking, that’s what it is,” said LaReta Williams, who runs the Norville Shelter with her husband Rick.
The shelter, across the street from Kaufman High School, houses an average of 15 children whose ages range from infants to 17-year-olds. The children have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and often arrive only with the clothes they are wearing. They stay at the center for a few weeks or months until there is a more permanent placement.
Students from each of the districts met at the shelter Wednesday to officially present the money to the Williams.
Last year’s challenge saved the shelter, Ms. Williams said. With expenses rising and state funding flat or decreasing, it has become more and more difficult to keep the shelter open.
She said she’s not sure yet where the money is going, but said the shelter needs a new washer and dryer, freezer and ice machine. One of the vans needed $2,000 in repairs this month.
Marsha Johnson, who coordinated Kaufman’s efforts, said she thought the students were inspired because the shelter is in their district.
“I think because it’s at home,” she said. “The kids see it. It touches the hearts of our teachers and administrators because we have those kids in our school system.”
© Copyright 2005-2007 by Kaufman County Online
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| Last Updated: Aug 13th, 2008 - 22:48:38 |
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