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Local Students Raise Thousands for Special Education Program

by KREX News Room
by John Dias

Story Created: Dec 7, 2012 at 7:55 AM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 7, 2012 at 9:07 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- During this time of the year, a number of kids are all about the holiday presents. However, some students at Fruita Monument High School have put their desires aside, and their peers' needs first.

“Basically it is the motto of the club to help others in the community or globally,” said Anne McCorkle, adviser for the Interact club.

But this time, it's the kids right across the hall they're giving back to.

Through the combined efforts of two Fruita Monument High School clubs, the Interact Club and Key Club, the students enrolled in the Side by Side special education program are getting ready to receive some new, modern school supplies.

“They’re some of the nicest kids at our school, so it was really nice to give back to them,” said Lindsey Thomas, student at Fruita Monument High School.

“I think we saw it as a need in the community and even our close community, being our school, so it was something we wanted to help out with ,” said Courtlynn Carpenter, student at Fruita Monument High School.

Helping out is exactly what they did, as several motivated students raised a total of $3,200 since September, through small bake sales and grants.

The two clubs raised enough money to buy their peers in the Side by Side program a new stove, Kindle e-readers, and even had enough money to purchase them some Grand Valley transit passes.

“I don’t think we have ever done something this big or raised nearly that much money for anything,” said Trent Wuster, adviser for the Key Club. “We have raised a couple hundred dollars here and there, but nothing like this.”

The new supplies will not only help the students to develop life skills, but also help improve their reading, because the Kindle e-readers have the talk to text feature, allowing them to read books at a higher level.

The students say giving back to the community now, will help them in the long run.

“I think it will be nice to carry it on. I want to do it next year and after that, maybe join the Rotary Club once I get older too,” said Thomas.

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Lisa Burns said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 10:24 PM

Loved my years as a Key Club sponsor at Fruita Monument. It is inspiring and heartwarming to see that FMHS is as strong as ever, and kudos to you all, including Mr. Wuster! You all rock in my book.

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