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Cunningham Kids Support Hurricane Victims at Louisiana Children's Homes
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, children and youth at Cunningham immediately asked their teachers and staff to help them find ways they could help.
At the same time that they began planning class fundraisers to support hurricane victims, Cunningham’s President and CEO Sam Banks was reaching out to United Methodist Children’s Homes in the Gulf Coast. Learning that 36 youth and 12 employees from Methodist Home for Children in New Orleans were being evacuated to a United Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, LA Sam asked Cunningham kids if they’d like to help. Resoundingly, they said yes.
Two bake sales, a snack sale, sales of "recipes in a jar," a car wash, and a basketball shoot-out have taken place or are planned for the near future. Proceeds from all of these events – expected to exceed $500 – will all help the children and youth who were forced to flee a home much like Cunningham, and warmly welcomed at another sister home.
It says a great deal about their teachers and counselors that Cunningham kids are able to move beyond their own pain and challenges to reach out to other kids in desperate need.Their attitude toward helping has been matter-of-fact and sincere.
During the car wash fundraiser, Vice President of Programs Pat Ege introduced the students to a woman who was living in Champaign-Urbana temporarily until she can get back home to the gulf coast. One of the girls offered her a glass of lemonade, but the visitor didn’t have her purse with her. "That’s ok," said the Cunningham youth. "It’s free to hurricane victims."
For more information on Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and Methodist Children’s Home for Children in New Orleans, see their website.
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