Leon Students Give 22K Dollars To TMH |
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Published by the Tallahassee Democrat on October 5th, 2011
By Desiree Stennett
By Desiree Stennett
Jacob Grimes, a Leon High School freshman who had to travel to Orlando to receive treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors, will soon be able to get the treatment he needs right at home, thanks to the efforts of his classmates.
"If this means we won't have to travel to Jacksonville or Orlando to get his infusions. That will be fantastic for our family," said Tammy Poucher, Jacob's mother.
Jacob has been living with the tumors since he was 3 years old.
After a week of fundraising, Leon High students made a hefty $22,028.39 donation to the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation that will benefit the outpatient cancer center.
Paula Foutunas, president and CEO of the TMH Foundation, said the money will go toward a private chemotherapy infusion room that will be named after the high school and will provide outpatient care that wasn't available before.
"We are enormously indebted to the Leon students," she said. "Their philanthropic spirit is exemplary in the community."
The donation exceeded the students' $15,000 goal and brought the total amount of money given to TMH over the last four years to $100,000.
The school was about $5,000 short of its goal Friday morning, the last day of fundraising, said Leon High student government president Hunter Munson, 17. Students and community members were encouraged to give what they could to get as close as possible to the goal.
"Everyone was freaking out; we didn't know how we were going to be able to make it to our goal," he said. "Somehow, all of our students started buying T-shirts and wristbands and everyone came through and we ended up with $22,000."
Leon High picked up the project with the American Cancer Society in 2006 and created a partnership with TMH about four years ago, after realizing how many people within the school and community were directly impacted by cancer and could benefit from the money they raise.
"We were all a little worried that we hadn't reached our goal, but I knew they weren't going to let a member of their family down," said Leon High Principal Rocky Hanna.
Sophie Graham, 17, the hospitality head for Leon's SGA, is excited about all she and her classmates were able to accomplish.
"It's surprising how little motivation (the students) need from us," she said. "They know how much of an impact this has and what we're accomplishing with it. I think the fact that all of the money that we raise stays in Tallahassee means a lot."
There is already a wing on the seventh floor at TMH named after the Leon High students because of the large donations they have made over the last few years.
Hanna says he couldn't be more proud of his students.
"What we do in academics, athletics and the arts is important, but to learn to give back and learn to help others is amazing," Hanna said.
"What's really touching is to see the kids who don't have much at home giving their lunch money just so they will be able to give something," he added.
Poucher says she is happy that her son was able to encourage his classmates' giving spirit.
"I think if something positive can come out of my son's horrible disease, that's great," she said. "It's great to find the blessing that can come from the nightmare he's living."
"If this means we won't have to travel to Jacksonville or Orlando to get his infusions. That will be fantastic for our family," said Tammy Poucher, Jacob's mother.
Jacob has been living with the tumors since he was 3 years old.
After a week of fundraising, Leon High students made a hefty $22,028.39 donation to the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation that will benefit the outpatient cancer center.
Paula Foutunas, president and CEO of the TMH Foundation, said the money will go toward a private chemotherapy infusion room that will be named after the high school and will provide outpatient care that wasn't available before.
"We are enormously indebted to the Leon students," she said. "Their philanthropic spirit is exemplary in the community."
The donation exceeded the students' $15,000 goal and brought the total amount of money given to TMH over the last four years to $100,000.
The school was about $5,000 short of its goal Friday morning, the last day of fundraising, said Leon High student government president Hunter Munson, 17. Students and community members were encouraged to give what they could to get as close as possible to the goal.
"Everyone was freaking out; we didn't know how we were going to be able to make it to our goal," he said. "Somehow, all of our students started buying T-shirts and wristbands and everyone came through and we ended up with $22,000."
Leon High picked up the project with the American Cancer Society in 2006 and created a partnership with TMH about four years ago, after realizing how many people within the school and community were directly impacted by cancer and could benefit from the money they raise.
"We were all a little worried that we hadn't reached our goal, but I knew they weren't going to let a member of their family down," said Leon High Principal Rocky Hanna.
Sophie Graham, 17, the hospitality head for Leon's SGA, is excited about all she and her classmates were able to accomplish.
"It's surprising how little motivation (the students) need from us," she said. "They know how much of an impact this has and what we're accomplishing with it. I think the fact that all of the money that we raise stays in Tallahassee means a lot."
There is already a wing on the seventh floor at TMH named after the Leon High students because of the large donations they have made over the last few years.
Hanna says he couldn't be more proud of his students.
"What we do in academics, athletics and the arts is important, but to learn to give back and learn to help others is amazing," Hanna said.
"What's really touching is to see the kids who don't have much at home giving their lunch money just so they will be able to give something," he added.
Poucher says she is happy that her son was able to encourage his classmates' giving spirit.
"I think if something positive can come out of my son's horrible disease, that's great," she said. "It's great to find the blessing that can come from the nightmare he's living."
