Central's Children's Center raises funds for St. Jude

The Meridian Star, Miss.
·2 min read

May 12—Central United Methodist Church's Children's Center's annual St. Jude fundraiser was a success as the organization raised over $10,000 for Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The yearly competition gets both children and teachers involved as each class selects a theme, decorates its room, builds a float and designs costumes throughout the weeklong event. St. Jude Week culminates with a sidewalk parade where children show off their floats and costumes to parents and family.

This year's awards were presented at chapel on April 22. Winners include:

— Mrs. Rocio Jensen's two-year class won the St. Jude Award for the class bringing in the most money and an award for Best Costumes and Best Float.

— Mrs. Jennifer O'Regan's four-year class won an award for Best Door Decoration and Best of Parade.

— Mrs. Shavonda Collier's two-year class also won an award for Best Door Decoration.

— Mrs. Kim Beck's three-year class won Best Bulletin Board, The Sparkle Award for the best room decoration, cutest costumes for the older classes and The Children's Center Award, which is also best in show. Her theme was "A League of Their Own — Striking Out Cancer."

— Mrs. Teresa McCary's class won The Danny Thomas Award for the theme that best supports St. Jude for its theme, "Super Heroes Fighting Cancer."

— Ms. Caroline Wells and Mrs. Nicole Heitz's toddler class won second place for The Danny Thomas Award with the theme, "Care Bears Care Beary Much."

Judges for the event were Laura Carmichael, Ross McLeod and Thomas Howard.

The top five children who brought in the most money were: Addison Mitchell, first place; Anne Harris Crowe, second place; Henry Saul, third place, Maggie Mason, fourth place; and Virginia Dudley, fifth place. Together they raised $5,000. Each was presented with a certificate and a bag of goodies for their accomplishment.

Central United Methodist's Children's Center began hosting its annual St. Jude Week fundraiser and festivities after a student at the center, along with another child who was a member of Central United Methodist Church, were diagnosed with cancer. Both received care from St. Jude.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provides medical treatment for children diagnosed with cancer, as well as ongoing research to improve and advance cancer treatments for all. The hospital famously does not bill families for the costs associated with cancer treatments and also helps provide food, lodging and travel for families of patients when needed.