Lincoln County has a strong tradition of giving, philanthropy and supporting charitable causes. Each member of our community is empowered to give back and leave our world better than they found it. Reaching out and helping another is not only an activity, but a deeply-ingrained value that has now begun to impact our youth.
White Mountain Elementary has been using a walkathon to raise money for new computers. “It was set up seven or eight years ago,” Stacie Belcher, chair of the walkathon and vice president of the parenting committee, said. “Our kids go out and get pledges, and then they walk the field three times.” Last year’s walkathon enabled the school to buy four new computers for each classroom. This year, the students were trying to raise enough for one more computer in each room.
To make the fundraiser more interesting, White Mountain provides prizes to high-performing students. “We have three places for each grade. This year, the top three won $100, $50 and $25,” Belcher said. “We want to make it fun and motivate them to do well.”
When prizes were distributed, two boys elected to have their winnings donated to The Nest domestic violence shelter instead.
“I already have enough,” Daniel Welch, 11, said. “It has been a great year for me and my family. I already have an iPad and an Xbox. I wanted to pass it on to someone who could use it more. We have all been through dark times before where we didn’t have so much. My family tries to pass it on whenever we can.”
“I wanted to bless someone because God has blessed me so much already,” Gary Layman, a fourth grader, said.
Combined, the two boys donated $150, earmarked for the children living at The Nest domestic violence shelter. “It’s wonderful they chose to support The Nest,” said Leslie Keller, president of the parenting committee and organizer of the White Mountain Elementary community garage sale. “The shelter does great work in our community, and it’s so cool that these kids chose to help out.”
“It’s inspiring,” Belcher said. “It is amazing that these two middle class kids, who aren’t necessarily any better off than anybody else, understand that they have this privilege and that they can help others who need it more.” Belcher noted that the boys thought of the idea to donate independently.
Though they say it takes a village to raise a child, if we stop and listen, our children can teach us valuable lessons that might otherwise take years to learn. From Daniel and Gary, we can learn the joy of giving and supporting others when we are in a position of power. Though young, they have already found their individual ability – and responsibility – to create a better world for others.
Pictured are Stacie Belcher and Daniel Welch, who recently donated his winnings to the children at The Nest.
