�°�è��app

Schools collect more than $35,000 for ‘Nickels for Neighbors’ campaign 

Students in �°�è��app are in the spirit of giving this holiday season.  In response to Hurricane Helene’s devastation in western North Carolina, the school district raised more than $35,000 through its “Nickels for Neighbors” campaign to support students and their families in Mitchell County. 

During a special presentation on Thursday, December 19 at Mitchell High School in Bakersville, �°�è��app superintendent Dr. Morgen Houchard and principals Dr. Rebecca Huffstetler (East �°�è��app High School), Matt Rikard (Ashbrook High School), and Dr. Josh Allen (South Point High School) revealed the fundraising grand total – $35,537.56, which is the equivalent of 710,751 nickels – to a group of students and school staff gathered in the Mitchell High School library.   In addition to handing over a check, the �°�è��app County representatives shared a box of letters, cards, and notes of encouragement that �°�è��app students had written for the Mitchell students.  They also watched several videos by Mitchell High School students that document the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The money is earmarked to support students in the Class of 2025 at Mitchell High School and Mayland Early College High School by covering senior year-related expenses for items such as caps and gowns and yearbooks.  There are approximately 130 students in the senior class.  The hope is to help make the students’ senior year as enjoyable as possible, given the circumstances that many families have faced since the storm caused widespread damage in September across western North Carolina.

Huffstetler, who is chairman of the Principals Leadership Team, coordinated the effort with help from high school students on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.  Over a two-week period in early December, students and employees at all 56 schools in �°�è��app County conducted fundraising activities and did their part to collect donations of spare change.

This is the fourth time that �°�è��app has implemented the “Nickels for Neighbors” campaign.  It began in 2015 when a flood devastated portions of South Carolina.  More than $25,000 was raised then and donated to the school districts in Clarendon and Williamsburg counties.  The next year, more than $21,000 was donated to four school districts in eastern North Carolina – Robeson, Edgecombe, Lenoir, and Wayne counties – that were affected by Hurricane Matthew.  In 2018, the school districts in Craven, Jones, Onslow, and Pender counties shared more than $17,000 after Hurricane Florence hit the coastal region. 

“This was our most successful ‘Nickels for Neighbors’ campaign when it comes to the amount of money raised, I believe, because our high school students took full ownership of the project and helped to spread enthusiasm for it to all of our schools,” said Huffstetler.  “Everyone got involved because we are well aware of the extent of the damage in western North Carolina and how long it will take to recover.  Our students felt like they had to do something to help, and to collect more than $35,000 far exceeded our expectations.”

Huffstetler said the goal was to donate $25,000 (the equivalent of 500,000 nickels) for the Class of 2025 in Mitchell County Schools; she is overwhelmed by the generosity shown by students and school employees in �°�è��app County. 

“�°�è��app is known for its spirit of caring and giving, and we hope the money will help the students in Mitchell County so they can enjoy their senior year and not have to worry so much about the expenses that come along with it,” said Huffstetler.  “I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution to ‘Nickels for Neighbors’ – this fundraising project will make a difference in the lives of others; there is no doubt about it.”