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Medical Leader News - Pikeville Elementary seeks ‘A Cure for Christmas’Pikeville Elementary seeks ‘A Cure for Christmas’
School holds philanthropic fundraiser and Christmas Bazaar
When new Pikeville Elementary Principal Dustin Combs joined the Pikeville Independent School System more than a month ago, one of his goals for the school was to coordinate a philanthropic event in an effort to give back to the community and to teach students about service to others. Until recently, he wasn’t quite sure what that event would be.
As Combs became more acquainted with the faculty and students, as well as with members of the community, he quickly learned how predominant cancer is in the area and, more specifically, Pikeville Elementary. In response to the disease’s prevalence among teachers, retired teachers and family members of students, “A Cure for Christmas” was born.
“A Cure for Christmas,” held in cooperation with the Ray of Hope Foundation, is a fundraising event that is exciting Pikeville Elementary students and teachers alike, and one that will rely heavily on support from local businesses and individuals.
As part of the project, each classroom proudly decorated a themed Christmas tree to be sold in a silent auction. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Ray of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Pikeville that provides financial and emotional assistance to those in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia who are facing life-threatening or serious debilitating disease. The rest of the money will go toward recognizing faculty and students at Pikeville Elementary.
Approximately 40 trees – decorated in such themes as Disney, U.S. Veterans, Firefighters, Baby’s First Christmas, Winter Wonderland, University of Kentucky Wildcats, Pikeville Panthers, Animal Print, Gingerbread, Snowmen and Teddy Bears – are currently being displayed at local businesses along with silent bid forms.
All trees will be on display at the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center on Dec. 11 during the Kenny Rogers Christmas concert. Silent bid forms will also be made available and Pikeville Elementary staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide further information about the project.
For those who live outside of the area, the Ray of Hope Foundation is making it possible to view and bid on trees on its website, http://www.rayofhopefoundation.org/.
According to Combs, students brought in ornaments from their homes and hand made decorations for their class trees in support of “A Cure for Christmas.” Combs also challenged teachers to find sponsors for the trees, which he said was easily done.
“It’s the heart behind the project that matters so much,” Combs remarked. “It’s been surprising to me and to the kids, how many people have jumped in to help.”
Combs said so many of the students’ lives have been touched by cancer, that the school doesn’t have to teach a unit on the disease to educate them.
“The students already know what cancer is; they don’t have to be taught. I think they have been more sympathetic to the project because of this.”
“A Cure for Christmas” will culminate on Monday, Dec. 12 during Pikeville Elementary’s Christmas Bazaar, which will be held in the school’s dinatorium from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. During this time, the last bids will be accepted and the trees will be sold. Additionally, local craftspeople will set up shop at the bazaar to sell their handmade goods.
Combs said he hopes to make “A Cure for Christmas” a growing, annual event and already has a few ideas on how to do so. “I’d like for it to turn into a bright spot for the school and the community,” he explained. “I’ve thought about challenging different florists in the future to help classrooms decorate their trees.”
Combs encourages local residents to attend the Dec. 12 Christmas Bazaar in support of the Ray of Hope Foundation and Pikeville Elementary. Anyone who is interested in sponsoring a tree now or in the future may call the school at 606-432-4196.
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