12/20/07
Manning Jr. High students receive gift of giving
By Chris Bullard

CHRIS BULLARD/Manning Times

Teachers and students gather in the Manning Jr. High School library to donate money to United Ministries of Clarendon County.

Over the span of three weeks Shannon Conant’s Manning Junior High School seventh grade students have raised more than $200 that they donated to United Ministries of Clarendon County.

As a fundraiser, Conant started a competition between her four classes with approximately 80 students involved. The winning class would receive a free lunch donated by Subway.

“My goal was to get the kids giving; doing something positive during Christmas,” said Conant.

Students were in charge of the daily collection and counting the money that they donated on their own.

On Dec. 14, Conant’s students met in the MJHS library to formally give the money to UMCC.

There to receive the donation was UMCC volunteer, Ted Johnson and board president, Judge James Dingle.

United Ministries is a private organization formed several years ago made up of churches, businesses and individuals in the community.

“It’s a crisis center serving people in need for particular reasons,” said Johnson.

The organization helps its clients with medicine, electricity, water, heating fuel and food. The organization states that 96 percent of every dollar contributed last year was used to help those in need.

At the donation, each class presented the money they raised.

Conant’s first period class raised $68.78, second period $23.81, fourth period $41.92 and fifth period $69.35; donating a total of $203.86.

“People don’t have stuff like we do. I gave because people gave me stuff when I was young,” said Javon Murray of Ms. Conant’s first period class.

The student’s far exceeded Conant’s expectations with the amount they raised.

“It’s about taking my little thing, and making it much bigger,” said Conant.

Dingle and Johnson cheerfully received the donations for UMCC.

“We would like to thank the school and media for their support throughout 2007, and for their continual support in upcoming 2008,” said Judge Dingle.

If interested in helping or with any questions about UMCC, contact Barbara Johnson at 473-2727.