New Richmond High School students were preparing for a talent show when severe weather rolled into the area March 2 bringing storms and a tornado to the southern part of the county.
Sue Griffin, an English teacher at the high school, said they were forced to cancel the talent show, and when they rescheduled for March 16, they decided to use the event to also raise money for tornado victims.
“Once the tornado hit, we put together a dinner and cake walk,” Griffin said. “Given the tornado, we felt it was appropriate to do something that was kept in the community, for the community.”
Griffin said the proceeds from the talent show were already promised to the high school band, however, Griffin and other teachers and students put together a spaghetti dinner, cake walk, silent auction, open swim and bake sale to go along with the talent show.
Griffin said they have held several fund-raising events at the school before that have done well. She said the cake walk, which is similar to musical chairs but involves winning a full-size cake, is especially popular.
“We have not paid for anything,” Griffin said about the items donated. “It is a very generous community.”
Students also donated to the cause and some donated their time to work at the different stations.
“Looking on TV and seeing how upset people are it gets to me,” Jasmine Thompson, a freshmen, said about the tornado and storms in the community. “I feel bad and want to help.”
Thompson said when she heard the school would be having a fund-raiser, she decided to volunteer.
Natasha Poe, a senior, also said she volunteered to also serve the community. She said she knows people who were affected by the storm and it means a lot to be able to help.
“I feel good that I can actually do something,” Poe said about volunteering at the fund-raiser.
In addition to the activities March 16, a Zumba-thon was also held March 17 at the high school from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Griffin said they raised approximately $2,400 for tornado victims at the event. She said about 340 people attended the talent show and they sold 115 tickets for the dinner.
“It went very well,” Griffin said about the event. “Everything seemed to be pretty well organized.”
Griffin said the money raised from the fund-raiser will go to River Valley Ecumenical Churches, an organization made up churches in the area that are helping with Moscow tornado relief.
“It goes directly to the people who need it,” Griffin said about the donations.