So what did our local store decide to do with these winnings? They added $25,000 to the total and donated $100,000 to local non-profit organizations. The Raymond Coalition for Youth was given a check for $30,000; the NH End 68 Hours of Hunger Program was given $40,000 ($20,000 of this will go directly to our Raymond Program); and area food banks were given checks ranging from $3000 to $11,000. This generosity is amazing! When I think of all the things a store could spend money on, I never imagined it would be given back to the community.
The money from the End 68 Hours of Hunger Program helps fund our existing program for the coming year and will allow us to bring this program to the high school. I was so proud that we were offering this to our elementary school kids, then added the middle school- that this is the cherry on top- all of our students will have access to food that will provide them with nourishment over the weekends.
We are grateful to all our community partners: RCFY, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, McDonald's, End 68 Hours of Hunger and so many more groups that, if I try to list all of them, I will forget some! These groups are involved in so many things: our JAG program, supporting our students' field trips, supplying students with needed food, providing prizes and programs for literacy contests, work as volunteers, and sponsor some of our student clubs. Raymond has always been a great place for community and is an example to every town of what community means.
