The senior class of Heritage High School is raising money for the Catoosa County Children’s Fund as part of their 2021 Homecoming festivities. Funds raised to support the Catoosa County Children’s Fund provide food, clothing, shelter, dental and medical care, educational supplies and fees and short-term emergency needs for students in need in Catoosa County.
The fundraiser is led by seniors, all male, from Heritage High School, who were nominated by their peers to compete for the title of Emperor of the Taj. This year, eight seniors from Heritage High school have been nominated by their peers to participate and compete for the Emperor of the Taj title: Dylan Campbell, Alex Frost, Hunter Goins, Jacob Lozano, Nathan Minton, Parker Taylor, David Shehee and Trey Weldon.
Nathan Minton, one of the candidates, has created a personalized website dedicated to sharing information about the Emperor of the Taj, as well as his efforts to raise money on behalf of the charity. Visit www.nathanminton.com for more information.
Students, teachers, family, friends and individuals and businesses from the community are asked to donate to the selected charity by giving directly to Heritage High School, which will present the charity with one final check for all donations the eight seniors receive once all funds are tallied. One hundred percent of the funds raised will directly to help Catoosa County students in need through the work and efforts of the Children's Fund. In 2020, seven male students from Heritage High School raised almost $11,000 in a span of about three weeks leading up to Homecoming 2020. According to Heritage High School Principal Ronnie Bradford, the amount raised was more than three times the amount raised in 2019.
To donate, you may contact Nathan Minton, or any of the other seniors of your choice, by Oct. 1. A faculty sponsor is charged with collecting the donations on school property, as students are not allowed to take donations in person.
"Being nominated for Emperor of the Taj is an honor, and raising the funds is a privilege," said Mr. Minton He hopes you will make a donation on his behalf of any amount ($1, $10, $25, or more). Businesses are encouraged to make a donation of $100, $250 or even $1,000.
The Catoosa County Children's Fund was established in 1991 and has no employees. As a result, 100 percent of every donation goes directly to help vulnerable students stay in school and continue their education.
According to the Catoosa County school website: "The Fund will provide qualified Catoosa County School children and families with short-term needs such as food, clothing, shelter, dental and medical care, educational related supplies or fees, or short-term emergency needs in an effort to develop their physical, mental, and emotional health and welfare. The School Social Workers will investigate referrals for assistance. No fees are required for assistance. By filling these short-term needs, it is the hope of the Board of Directors that the assistance will keep those children in school.
"The goal is to achieve the purpose of the Catoosa County Children's Fund by soliciting contributions in various ways such as from local businesses, fund-raising drives in the schools, individual donations from letters sent annually, or from local churches."
The board of directors is made up of one representative from each chartered civic group who chooses to participate in the fund; the county school superintendent; county director of student services; representatives of community agencies; and representatives of supporting businesses if they choose to belong.