VELMA —
Velma-Alma Public Schools pulled its effort together to raise money for the American Heart Association — and “raise money” it did.
Led by the high school’s BETA Club, students at V-A collected $24,185.50 during the drive. The amount not only surpassed the amount the school raised in previous years, but turned out to be the largest donation to AHA raised in Oklahoma public schools.
The fundraising was part of the school district’s Heart Coronation program, in which students were placed in four age divisions to see how much money each division could raise.
“This year, we are the top school in Oklahoma for donations,” Denise Thompson, teacher and BETA Club advisor, said.
The Heart Coronation program started in the 1980s, and was initially headed up by the school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America. About 12 to 13 years ago, the BETA Club took over the program.
Students selected in this year’s Heart Coronation were, Division I: Katie Barton and Colt Kirkpatrick, second grade; Division II: Morgan Egger and Cooper Keck, fourth grade; Division III: Emily Combest and David Bryant, eighth grade; and Division IV: Kylee Saville and Tyler Nalley, juniors.
While this year’s group pulled in a collective donation of more than $24,000, the individual groups did their own fundraising. Division I raised $1,425. Division II raised $4,401. Division III raised $2,560.70. And Division IV raised $1,782.07.
The junior class approached various businesses in the community to get donations for the program, and the group also had a bake sale. The eighth grade class also went for donations from businesses, had a bake sale and even sold candy for the program. When it came to fourth grade, the students started by selling candy and then went seeking donations from the local businesses.
The second-graders sold candy and talked to local businesses.
Bryant enjoyed being involved because he felt it was important to help out the American Heart Association. “I think we did good,” he said. “It’s for a good cause.”
This year’s total was more than $5,000 higher than the 2011 total of $19,100. In turn, last year’s total was higher than the previous year. Since 2006, the program annually collected more funds, which have resulted in a total of nearly $122,756 going to the AHA from V-A.
At first, Nalley wasn’t sure about being selected to represent his division. But when once he realized it would be helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association, he got excited.
“It’s not even that hard,” Nalley said. “It’s a really good feeling to help others.”
Saville agreed, noting the program did require a lot of work from the students but it was work worth the effort.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” Saville said. “We have to keep up with the money.”
The students were excited about the amount of money they raised collectively and were pleased they could contribute to the cause. They said the school district and the community were supportive of the project.
Bryant relished being part of the group, being impressed as he watched people working with one another to benefit a third party.
“It’s all for a great cause,” Bryant said. “It’s cool to see the community and the school come together.”
Nalley said the amount of money raise is inspirational and made him proud to live in a generous community such as Velma.
“That’s pretty awesome,” he proclaimed. “I think it’s a great idea. I wish we had it year round.”
The students had a lot of fun with the program and were glad to contribute to the school’s successful fundraising.
Thompson was delighted to see the students putting out the effort to make this the most successful fundraising year for the Heart Coronation.
While bake sales or candy sales brought in fund, she said the majority of the money raised came from the students approaching businesses.
The combined efforts of the students and businesses drove the fundraiser, and Thompson said the students, much like the Velma community, often look for ways to help one another.
This fundraiser was just an example.
“The community does a lot,” Thompson said.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Velma-Alma’s Heart Coronation students: Katle Barton, Colt Kirkpatrick, Morgan Egger, Cooper Keck, Emily Combest, David Bryant, Kylee Saville and Tyler Nalley, helped to raised $24,185.50 for the American Heart Association. Photo submitted
-
Corbin Byford, state BETA Club president, of Velma, presents a check from the Velma-Alma Heart Coronation fundraiser to Jennifer Jones, who was representing the American Heart Association. Photo submitted
Velma-Alma Heart Coronation raising more than $24,000
- Lifestyles
-
-
Harrel — McMurtrey
Jessica Diann Harrel and Matthew Alexander Nash McMurtrey will exchange wedding vows May 18, 2013, at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hartshorne.
-
Akers — Grabman
Krystal Lyn Akers of Duncan and Stephen Philip Grabman of Fort Worth, Texas will exchange wedding vows June 8, 2013, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Duncan with Rev. David Heitner officiating.
-
Gauthun — 60 Years
Kenneth and Ursula Gauthun will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception 2-4:30 p.m. today, at the Canterbury Tea Room, hosted by Jackie Weber, Pat Kearby and daughter, Shirley Stinnett.
-
Smith — Jones
Jamie Katherine Smith of Norman and Patrick Damon Jones of Oklahoma City will exchange vows Oct. 12, 2013, at Williams Memorial Church in Bethany.
-
Johnson — Gannaway
Ajenda Della Johnson of Duncan and Gregory Robert Gannaway of Lafayette, La., will exchange wedding vows Aug. 10, 2013, at Mission Rose Garden in Santa Barbara, Calif.
-
Wilcox — Calaway
Jaiah Renee Wilcox and James Dalton Calaway, both of Lubbock, Texas, will exchange wedding vows at 7 p.m. June 8, 2013, at the Brasch-Mitchell Building in Levelland, Texas.
-
McCray — Lebron
On Florida’s white sands, Ginger McCray and Jose E. Lebron married on March 13, 2013.
-
Ivey — Sink
Rachel LeAnn Ivey and David Mason Sink, both of Duncan, will exchange wedding vows on June 1, 2013, with an outside garden ceremony at the Simmons Center in Duncan.
-
Wince — Stockton
Courtney Elizabeth Wince of Jenks and Jonathan Daniel Lee Stockton of Duncan will exchange wedding vows May 18, 2013, at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Stillwater with Ryan Young of Elk City officiating.
-
Whitten — 65 Years
Jerry and Betty Whitten have spent all their married life (and more) in Duncan. Betty graduated from Duncan High School in 1945, as did their four children: Steve in 1967 (University of Oklahoma in 1972), John in 1969 (Oklahoma State University in 1974), Missy in 1971 (OU in 1975) and J.D. “Butch” in 1975 (OU in 1979).
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
