Rutherford Weekly

©Community First Media Community First Media Located Located inside inside FOREST CITY FOREST CITY 720 South Church St. 720 South Church St. • • 828-245-7274 • 828-245-7274 • Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 1-6pm Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 1-6pm 25 % OFF ALL GIFTS & DECOR FRI., NOV. 24 (some manufacture exclusions apply) (some manufacture exclusions apply) OUR 25 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 47 • NOVEMBER 22, 2017 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 ©Community First Media Community First Media Made in America glass Local artwork, glass & more Vaping Supplies Vaping Supplies Skateboards Skateboards Mon-Fri 11am-5:30pm Saturday 12-4pm Complimentary Complimentary WE SUPPORT PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WE SUPPORT PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH In the spirit of giving, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Jr. High Student Council was honored to donate a $1,000.00 check to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots Program. During the ceremony, the Marines also awarded Thomas Jefferson with the Toys for Tots 2017 Commander's Award for outstanding support of the Toys for Tots Program. TJCA Jr. High Student Council President, Noah Champion, said, "I am proud to be part of an organization that donates to a program that spreads the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children in Rutherford County. We hope that we can donate even more next year." This generous donation was made possible by the Jr. High Student Council's annual fund raiser, "May Mist". "May Mist" is a Parent/Student prom held every May for all Thomas Jefferson students and their families. Tickets are sold for this event to raise money for programs such as the Toys for Tots Program. Mr. Kelly Scruggs, 7th grade history teacher, is the chairperson for the Jr. High Student Council and organizes this event yearly. The Toys for Tots program was founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR, when he collected 5,000 toys during a campaign he organized in California. The first toy ever donated was a homemade doll. The following year, The United States Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots, and expanded it into a nationwide community action project. Marines at each Reserve Center throughout the nation conducted toy collection and distribution campaigns in the communities surrounding the center. Last year, with total revenue of over $280 million, was the second best year ever experienced by Marine Toys for Tots. With 97% of all proceeds going directly to the families in need, the program is recognized by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance as one of the top charities in the nation. As stated on their website, www. toysfortots.org, the primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens, and to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources – our children. They aim to unite all members of local communities in a common cause during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign and to contribute to better communities in the future. The Commanders Award is presented to acknowledge, "the outstanding support" of those whose "generous contributions enable the USMC to bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children." TJCA Jr. High Student Council Receives Commanders Award for Toys for Tots Donation Article provided by Chasity Faltraco - Photographs provided by Louis Hernandez and Chasity Faltraco Article provided by Chasity Faltraco - Photographs provided by Louis Hernandez and Chasity Faltraco Those present for the ceremony are (left to right): Front row: Mr. Bill Swope, Gracie Germack - Jr. High Student Council Vice President, Noah Champion - Jr. High Student Council President, and Mr. Alan Marston. Second Row: Mr. Kelly Scruggs - Jr. High Student Council Chairperson, LCDR Darrell Keller - U.S. History Teacher, Mr. Gary Blake - Principal, and Mr. Michael Fair - Assistant Principal. TJCA Jr. High Student Council Vice President and Presdient Gracie Germack and Noah Champion Mr. Kelly Scruggs with the Commanders Award Mr. Scruggs would also like everyone to know that Thomas Jefferson is continuing to collect donations for the Toys for Tots Program with donation boxes located at Thomas Jefferson's Grammar, Middle, and High School's front offi ces. Toys For Tots has specifi cally requested new children's books and classics, coloring books, word searches and crossword puzzle books, and young adult books. All collections and donations will stay right here in Rutherford County. Presentation of the check by Gracie Germack

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