Administration, faculty, staff, patrons and students of South Fork School have long been supporters of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, raising funds for the facility each year. They outdid themselves this year by surpassing their $21,000 fundraising goal by about $1,000.
Principal Dr. Seth Huddleston made a presentation about it at the recent February meeting of the West Plains R-7 School Board, and spoke enthusiastically about the work put in and the pride the school takes in donating to such a worthy cause.
The school partnered with K-Kountry 95 Radio in Thayer, and has been working with the station since 2010 for the annual fundraiser. Over those years, South Fork has raised a total of about $125,000, and have labeled the effort "Kids Helping Kids."
A big part of the event is getting students involved and excited about helping other children. St Jude Children's Research Hospital is located in Memphis, Tenn., and was established in 1962 in no small part with the involvement of the late actor Danny Thomas whose works include the 1953-64 TV show“Make Room for Daddy (The Danny Thomas Show).” St. Jude is recognized worldwide as a facility that treats children at no cost to families. The hospital is also renowned for its research into the treatment and cures for childhood diseases and cancers.
This year South Fork volunteers sold snacks like pizza and ice cream during the school day, and held giveaways of items and services donated by Simmons Bank, Silver Springs Storage, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Edgeller and Harper Farm Equipment, Ozark Quick Lube, Heritage Tractor, Jacob Garrett Law Office, Mission First Medical Walk-In Clinic, Midwest Archery, Johnson Machine Works, Broken Bow Archery, Tyree's Fertilizer and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Additionally, the school partnered with Jo Coffee Co. to hold coffee sales, and T-shirt sales were sponsored by Caffeine and Chaos, plus Valentine's Day "cookie grams" were sold with the help of baker Jeff Wood.
Artist and South Fork Elementary art teacher Kathy Grigsby donated a painting that was auctioned, and additional donations were made by Don's Goodyear Auto Service and West Plains Sunrise Rotary.
