Valdosta, GA –When the Pre-Kindergarten (pre-K) students at Valwood School selected the Coins for Crayons fundraiser benefiting hospitalized children at SGMC, little did they know that the fundraising effort would snowball and far exceed everyone’s expectations.On Thursday, October 29, Sue Avera, representing the Pediatric’s Unit at SGMC, along with Elizabeth Vickers, SGMC Foundation Executive Director, met with the pre-K students, teachers and Valwood faculty, along with VSU sorority representatives, to accept a cash donation of $1,156.34. The pre-K students also presented a basket of crayons and coloring books.According to Valwood Pre-K Teacher Jeanna Ganas, the service project began with coin banks being placed in businesses around Valdosta. “Our intention was to raise maybe $100 or more to purchase crayons and coloring books to help sick children at SGMC pass the time,” she said.The service project caught the attention of several Valdosta State University Greek Organizations including Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu and Zeta Tau Alpha and fundraising took off. The sorority members received service hours for collecting dollars for the Coins for Crayons fundraiser.The Pediatrics Unit at SGMC plans to use the funds to purchase a couple of new gaming systems with a variety of video games for patients’ use.“SGMC is very pleased to have the support of the Valwood students, parents and faculty and the VSU Greek organizations,” Vickers said. “This is just one example of how community partnerships contribute to the greater good of the community. On behalf of the Peds staff and patients, SGMC is very appreciative of this generous donation and thanks everyone who was involved.”
