1/17/08

Clarendon Hall’s Poston raises funds for Relay in memory of his ‘Papa’
By Eric Goold

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Acting in memory of his late grandfather, Clarendon Hall fourth-grader Ty Poston raised over $750 for Relay For Life over the Christmas Holidays. Ty is pictured here with his mother, Heather Poston.

Around Christmas time, when youngsters are generally thinking about what presents they’ll get from Santa, Clarendon Hall fourth-grader Ty Poston thought about giving.

Acting on a challenge from his teacher, Kelli Carlisle, Poston worked tirelessly during the holidays and raised over $750 for Clarendon County’s Relay For Life.

“When Ty brought in his envelope, I thought, ‘Gracious!’ I asked him how much money he raised, and he said over $400,” said Carlisle last Tuesday after school. “I thought I better check and I counted it. It turned out to be over $750. He really surprised me. Ty definitely worked the hardest.”

What began as a class project turned into an inspired personal mission for the 10-and-a-half year-old.

“Our teacher started us with 50 cents,” said Ty. “She told us to see how much we could raise for charity.”

Carlisle wrote out a list of charities that the children could choose to raise money for. Ty selected Relay For Life for a personal reason.

“My papa passed away from cancer,” he said. “I wanted to do it for him.”

John Geddings, Ty’s grandfather, lost his battle with cancer last October.

“He was very anxious to do it as soon as he got the assignment,” said Ty’s mother, Heather Poston. “The whole idea of the project was to give a gift rather than receive a gift. He was gung ho and ready to do whatever he could from the very start.”

Ty worked with his grandmother and held a yard sale at his grandparents’ country store in Turbeville to help raise money. He also babysat his sister and donated those funds.

His grandmother helped him bake cookies, brownies and cupcakes for a bake sale, and he also sold the treats at school for extra money.

“It was fun working with my grandmother,” said Ty.

The end result of his efforts was a significant contribution to Relay that far exceeded anyone’s expectations.

“I was really surprised,” said Carlisle. “When I wrote out the check for Relay I just thought, ‘Wow!’ He did such a good job.”

Ty’s personality suited him well for the project.

“He’s always had that in his nature. He likes giving more than getting,” said Heather Poston. “He’s different that way. We are all very proud of him.”

Part of Carlisle’s assignment was for the children to write a letter to their charity explaining the project and why they wanted to raise money for them.

“I’m real proud of all the children,” said Carlisle. “Almost all of them raised at least $30 for their charity. I think it’s a nice way for them to think a little bit about giving during the Christmas season, since there’s always so much emphasis on getting things.”

Ty hasn’t decided yet if he’ll take part in the Relay for Life this May.

“I’m still thinking about it,” he said.

Regardless, Ty’s impressive effort will be a special addition to the funds raised to fight cancer.