Schools get Gaston donation
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 24, 2016 12:31 PM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Dr. Michael Dunsmore, far right, superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools, expressed appreciation for the $5,450 donation from Gaston County Schools for hurricane relief Wednesday, as Kevin Collier, third from left, chairman of the Gaston County Board of Education, presents a plaque to the district, with representatives from the Gaston and Wayne county schools looking on. The ceremony at the WCPS central office included similar presentations of $5,450 each to Lenoir and Edgecombe schools, also affected by the hurricane and flooding in October. Gaston County students and staff participated in a "Nickels 4 Neighbors" fundraiser to support schools in the eastern region.
A little Christmas cheer came Wednesday to several school districts affected by Hurricane Matthew, thanks to some generous students and staff from the western part of the state.
Representatives from Gaston County Schools paid a visit to Wayne County Public Schools' administrative offices on Wednesday afternoon, presenting checks to school representatives from Wayne, Lenoir and Edgecombe counties.
In November, a few weeks after the hurricane cut a swath through the eastern part of the state and caused intense flooding, the Gaston County district held a "Nickels 4 Neighbors Day."
Students brought in piggy banks, pencil boxes and Ziploc bags filled with spare change, officials said.
Parents, teachers and school employees also supported the districtwide effort, which raised $21,952.30 -- the equivalent of 439,000 nickels.
The funds were divided up among four school districts, the first stop Wednesday morning at Robeson County Schools. Each recipient received a check for $5,450.
Bryan Denton, chairman of the principals leadership team for Gaston County, said he had been looking forward to the occasion since the day the fundraising effort began in November. Fifty-four schools -- 31,000 students -- participated, he said.
"It was great to see how our school embraced this campaign," said Rebecca Huffstetler, principal of Stanley Middle School and that district's principal of the year.
"We had many teachers use this as a teachable moment," Denton added, from incorporating math lessons while counting the donations to a character lesson about kindness and compassion.
Each recipient was presented with a check, a plaque and a lapel pin.
WCPS officials expressed appreciation for the efforts of their neighbors to the west.
"It is absolutely heartwarming to see these Gaston County students come together to collectively support their peers on the eastern side of the state," said Dr. Michael Dunsmore, WCPS superintendent.
"In our district alone, we had approximately 300 students and families who experienced home, property or personal property damage as a result of Matthew and its flooding.
"We also had more than 250 students and families displaced from their homes, with some still unable to return and who are living in hotels, with extended family, or in some other temporary housing," he said.
This is actually the second time for the "Nickels 4 Neighbors" campaign. In October 2015, that district supported South Carolina schools impacted by a flooding event.
"This year when we saw our neighbors in the eastern part of the state in trouble, we decided we needed to resurrect the Nickels 4 Neighbors (campaign)," said Kevin Collier, chairman of the Gaston County Board of Education.
He said he was pleased with the money generated from the fundraiser and his district's ability to respond to others in need.
"It's just what we're called to do," he said. "I'm so proud of the students in Gaston County because they stepped up to help students in other counties."
"Our schools went beyond expectations to support our 'Nickels 4 Neighbors' campaign and because of their willingness to help others, we are able to present more than $21,000 to four school districts that are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Matthew," Gaston superintendent of schools W. Jeffrey Booker said.
"We know this money will be put to good use and it is our hope that it will make the holiday season and new year a little brighter for students and their families."