ROGERS -- Greer Lingle Middle School students recently found a way to do something nice for each other and give back to the community at the same time.
During a brief assembly Tuesday, seventh-graders from the school's Safari Cats team presented an oversized check for $630 to representatives of Souls Harbor NWA, a transitional living facility for men in Rogers.
About Souls Harbor
Souls Harbor, established in 1988, is a transitional living facility for men on North Second Street in Rogers. It provides food, clothing, shelter and job opportunities to men trying to rebuild their lives. The facility now houses 20 men between the ages of 18 and 57, according to executive director Joel Atchison. For more information visit www.SoulsHarborNWA.….
Source: Staff Report
The money came through a fundraiser the Safari Cats students ran the week of Valentine's Day. Any Greer Lingle student was able to order an Orange Crush soda to be delivered to one of their friends or someone on whom they had a crush. Sodas were sold for $3 each and delivered to students during classes Feb. 13.
All of the soda was donated to the school by parents, community members and the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, said Donna Summers, a history teacher and Safari Cats team leader.
Students sold more than 200 sodas. Rachel Cox, Souls Harbor's director of community engagement, praised students for their effort after accepting the check.
"You guys are amazing," Cox said. "The future of Rogers is so bright. This money will help so many guys get back on their feet."
The money will go toward Souls Harbor's new commercial kitchen and dining hall, called the Mustard Seed, and its urban gardens program, Cox said.
There are about 2,400 homeless people living in Benton and Washington counties, many of whom are children, Cox said. Nine of Lingle Middle School's 899 students last semester were classified as homeless, according to the Arkansas Department of Education.
The idea for the fundraiser stemmed from an article about homelessness that students read in Junior Scholastic magazine last month, Summers said. That led to class discussions about where the homeless go in Northwest Arkansas and what students could do to help them, Summers said.
"They just got real excited about being able to help," Summers said. "I was very proud of all they did."
Josie Stitt, 12, was one of the students who explained the project at Tuesday's assembly. Organizing the fundraiser gave students greater appreciation of what they have, Josie said.
"Some kids don't have a bed to go home to," she said. "It was really nice to know what we're doing is impacting someone's life."
Working on the project also gave students an opportunity to get to know each other better.
"We've learned each other's strengths and weaknesses," Josie said. "Even though we're so different as individuals, we can get a lot accomplished if we work together."
Reid Remfrow, 13, called the project "inspirational."
"It helped us to see how the world really is," Reid said. "I felt like we helped out a lot and were dedicated to the community."
Though seventh-graders organized the fundraiser, they had help from other students promoting it. Where Everyone Belongs, a group of eighth-graders who serve as mentors and school leaders, made signs that were posted throughout the school. The broadcasting class also advertised the fundraiser, students said.
Mary Elmore, principal, said Lingle Middle has made a concerted effort this school year to take on community service projects.
"We talk about the education of the whole child, and this is a way to give back to agencies that have helped our families," Elmore said. "We want to partner with our community and have them know the hearts of our kids."
NW News on 02/25/2015