Citizens looking to get involved with activities from the Carter County Schools System have a prime opportunity later this week.
Dawn Taylor, Central Elementary teacher and event organizer, stated the school has been bustling with excitement preparing for two events, doused with musical allure and ideas to help the less fortunate.
Packing a one-two punch for the community, Central will first host a barbecue dinner Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school to benefit the county-wide music education program. Tickets for the event are priced at $5 and can be purchased from any county school within the district that participates in the program, or at the door of the event.
Food is being sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 1150 and other activities will be on tap through the evening, including baskets filled with items and other goodies available for raffles.
One of the prime attention-getters is the celebrity-signed guitars, Taylor said. Ranging from Casting Crowns to Oak Ridge Boys, the guitars will be available via auction with proceeds going to assist the program.
Those interested in making a bid can either visit 32auctions.com/centralguitars or the Central Online Guitar Auction Facebook page.
Seeing students enjoying the musical program in its second year has been joy, according to Taylor. With momentum brewing for the program, Central is tieing in the music program with a drive to help the needy in conjunction with their second event this week – the Welcome Back to School Kickoff.
Scheduled to start Friday, Oct. 6, at 9 a.m., numerous guests will be at the school, including Sen. Rusty Crowe, the Happy Valley High School Band, WINGS’ helicopter landing, Menchies of Johnson City, Central Volunteer Fire Department, East Tennessee State University athletes, Bojangle’s and Wendy’s.
Typically focused in on reading, this year’s theme is titled “Celebrate Feeding the Hungry and Continuing Guitar Education Program.”
“This year, we thought we would tie it into the guitar education program and feeding the hungry in the region,” Taylor said. “ Here at Central, we always have a successful donation drive, but we wanted to put an extra emphasis on that this year.”
Representatives from Second Harvest Food Bank will arrive at the school Friday to unload food barrels, which already have some sizeable donations from students. Once the barrels are emptied, the school will then look to continue the drive until December 8.
“The drive itself will run until December, but we’re hoping to get as many donations as possible by Friday for Second Harvest,” Taylor said. “We want this to be a way to pick up momentum for the remainder of the drive.”
And the students have taken the bull by the horns, Taylor said. Before school’s dismissal Tuesday, a handful of students from each grade joyfully made their way to the barrels to donate items.
“It’s truly incredible,” Taylor said about the students’ efforts. “Everyone likes to give. You get a feel-good sense about things, and they really seem to enjoy it.”