Avery Elementary Donates $1,000 Prize To Less Fortunate Children

Avery Elementary School, the winner of a $1,000 cash prize for having the most participants in the Service League of Cherokee County’s 12th annual Run for the Children, has decided to pay it forward to less fortunate children in the county.

The school had 173 race participants — the most of any school throughout the county — in the holiday-themed 5K and 1-mile run run, and was presented the prize by sponsored by CLB Contracting and the Credit Union of Georgia.

However, Avery Principal Dr. Pam Smith “immediately” donated the money back to the service league, the organization said in a press release.

The annual race was held Dec. 6 in downtown Canton. It hosted 850 participants and raised more than $9,000 for less fortunate children in Cherokee County.

The League is a volunteer group of 100 women who donate more than 10,000 hours each year to raise funds for local children.

Funds raised during this and other fundraising events sponsored by the League, such as the Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival and the Annual Ball and Dancing for the Children Celebrity Dance Challenge, provide necessities such as food, clothing, dental care, eyeglasses, medical care, scholarships and more for children in need.

Photo: Jason Blakey and Amanda Arnold (left) Avery Principal Dr. Pam Smith and Service League 2014 Reindeer Run Committee Chair Shannan Cagle. Credit: Service League of Cherokee County.