December 24, 2010 - Lights surpasses first goal of $250,000
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - The Franklin News Post
"The people of Franklin County have given the Lights for Life memorial fundraiser a tremendous Christmas gift with total donations surpassing the first plateau of $250,000."
These were the words of L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, in announcing Thursday that $253,592.11 in total contributions have been made through the end of the 19th report week.
"What a Christmas present this is," Arrington said with a smile.
A donation of $2,500 led the way this week. That amount was contributed by the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department.
In presenting the check, Battalion Chief Riley Peters said, "The generous donations to our department by Boones Mill area residents made the donation possible. Without them, we could not have done this."
Peters was accompanied at the presentation by Thomas Cummings, treasurer of the BMVFD.
Other donations received this week by Arrington or at the Town of Rocky Mount offices came from Paul R. Shively Inc., $1,000; Franklin County High School Class of 1961, $500; and the Franklin County Education Association, $300.
Also checks were received from H.H. Hunt, Zilphia Bowling, Ralph B. Rhodes and the WMU of the New Life Baptist Church.
Darius McBride and Jerry Adcock, members of the Class of '61, said the class donation was being made "in memory of Danny Altice and 19 other deceased classmates."
"Classmates voted to make this donation at our recent reunion," McBride added.
Mary Edwards, president of the Franklin County Education Association, said teachers raised money by baking goods and selling them at the Eagles' football games. She was accompanied for the presentation by Stephanie Lovelace, secretary, and Terry Jones, a member of the local association, who heads District 5 of the Virginia Education Association that includes Franklin County.
In announcing the $250,000 plateau had been reached, Arrington also said the memorial fundraiser will continue to seek and accept donations.
"A number of people have called me and said they had a donation that would be coming by the end of the year or at the start of the next fiscal year," Arrington said. "A lot of people also are filing taxes and it may work out they may have a little money left that they could donate to Lights for Life rather than give it to the government."
Arrington said the more money raised through contributions means less taxpayer money will have to be used by the Town of Rocky Mount and Franklin County, who are partners in the project.
"It is truly amazing that the drive has broken the quarter-million dollar mark in just 19 weeks. The drive did not officially begin until Aug. 25," he continued.
Arrington had nothing but praise for everyone who has contributed to this campaign, no matter how small or how large the amount.
"I don't yet have a total collected in the countertop change boxes that are in a number of locations. I do know we've gotten a lot of pennies and other change, as well as dollars, left in these boxes. It adds up fast," Arrington said.
"At the beginning of the drive, we figured if every customer donated just 25 cents, then each of our stores (Dairy Queen and Bojangles) would raise $10,000," Arrington said. "When these totals are tabulated, I honestly feel we are going to reach that figure or perhaps go beyond it."
"All I can say is a sincere and simple 'thank you' to one and all for your wonderful support. This has been the nicest Christmas gift Franklin County could ever receive," he added.ﾠ"And, I would like to wish each and every one a Merry Christmas and a great New Year."
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - The Franklin News Post"The people of Franklin County have given the Lights for Life memorial fundraiser a tremendous Christmas gift with total donations surpassing the first plateau of $250,000."
These were the words of L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, in announcing Thursday that $253,592.11 in total contributions have been made through the end of the 19th report week.
"What a Christmas present this is," Arrington said with a smile.
A donation of $2,500 led the way this week. That amount was contributed by the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department.
In presenting the check, Battalion Chief Riley Peters said, "The generous donations to our department by Boones Mill area residents made the donation possible. Without them, we could not have done this."
Peters was accompanied at the presentation by Thomas Cummings, treasurer of the BMVFD.
Other donations received this week by Arrington or at the Town of Rocky Mount offices came from Paul R. Shively Inc., $1,000; Franklin County High School Class of 1961, $500; and the Franklin County Education Association, $300.
Also checks were received from H.H. Hunt, Zilphia Bowling, Ralph B. Rhodes and the WMU of the New Life Baptist Church.
Darius McBride and Jerry Adcock, members of the Class of '61, said the class donation was being made "in memory of Danny Altice and 19 other deceased classmates."
"Classmates voted to make this donation at our recent reunion," McBride added.
Mary Edwards, president of the Franklin County Education Association, said teachers raised money by baking goods and selling them at the Eagles' football games. She was accompanied for the presentation by Stephanie Lovelace, secretary, and Terry Jones, a member of the local association, who heads District 5 of the Virginia Education Association that includes Franklin County.
In announcing the $250,000 plateau had been reached, Arrington also said the memorial fundraiser will continue to seek and accept donations.
"A number of people have called me and said they had a donation that would be coming by the end of the year or at the start of the next fiscal year," Arrington said. "A lot of people also are filing taxes and it may work out they may have a little money left that they could donate to Lights for Life rather than give it to the government."
Arrington said the more money raised through contributions means less taxpayer money will have to be used by the Town of Rocky Mount and Franklin County, who are partners in the project.
"It is truly amazing that the drive has broken the quarter-million dollar mark in just 19 weeks. The drive did not officially begin until Aug. 25," he continued.
Arrington had nothing but praise for everyone who has contributed to this campaign, no matter how small or how large the amount.
"I don't yet have a total collected in the countertop change boxes that are in a number of locations. I do know we've gotten a lot of pennies and other change, as well as dollars, left in these boxes. It adds up fast," Arrington said.
"At the beginning of the drive, we figured if every customer donated just 25 cents, then each of our stores (Dairy Queen and Bojangles) would raise $10,000," Arrington said. "When these totals are tabulated, I honestly feel we are going to reach that figure or perhaps go beyond it."
"All I can say is a sincere and simple 'thank you' to one and all for your wonderful support. This has been the nicest Christmas gift Franklin County could ever receive," he added.ﾠ"And, I would like to wish each and every one a Merry Christmas and a great New Year."
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