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Every year, Riverton High School does a Christmas charity drive, and this year's drive wrapped up today with a huge donation to a worthy cause. The students chose the Family Support Center in Midvale to be the recipient of their donations.
It all came to a head today during an assembly at the high school. There wasn't a dry eye in the gymnasium when a large banner was revealed and everyone realized that all their efforts during the past several weeks had paid off big time: They had exceeded their goal by bringing in more $82,000!
"We thought we were going to be short from last year, so we tried not to focus on that. We tried to focus on changing lives, and that's what raised us up that extra couple of thousand," said Student Body President Sam Butterfield.
Riverton High students have used their annual Christmas drive to raise money for and awareness of various social issues. In choosing the Family Support Center as their charity, the theme of the drive became "strengthening families."
"I'm so surprised by their generosity and by their caring enough to learn about and educate themselves about the issue of how to strengthen a family," said Diane Spencer, with the Family Support Center.
The Family Support Center provides a variety of services for families and children dealing with issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and other issues that can bring a family to a breaking point.
The Midvale Center first opened in 1981, and Spencer says this money raised by these students will really help. "They help pay for child care in the crisis nurseries, they help pay for counseling for families that are experiencing problems, help us with our child abuse prevention programs," she said.
During the season of giving, the students of Riverton High certainly have. Spencer with the Family Support Center was amazed at what the students did. She also said, "When anyone has concerned about the future of the country, they should just look at these kids." They really set a good example.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
