By Staff
PARADE n Students at Central United Methodist Church Children's Center showed their support for St. Jude's Hospital with a parade Friday in downtown Meridian. From left are Alison Hines Anderson, Corbin Cross and Sidney Clayton. Their class theme was "Open Your Heart and Give." Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
April 7, 2001
Students at the Children's Center at Central United Methodist Church ended a busy week of fund-raising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Friday.
The children enjoyed a busy week filled with fun activities celebrating St. Jude's Hospital and culminating with a parade. Each age class, ranging from 1 to 4-year-olds, picked a theme to honor St. Jude's. The children decorated their own floats, which were pulled on small wagons, and paraded around the block in downtown Meridian.
Other activities included learning bike and tricycling, and sidewalk and street safety. Teachers set up a obstacle course at the church and the kids learned rules of the road, such as stopping at signs and the right way to ride their bikes on the street.
The center hopes fund-raising efforts will exceed the $3,000 raised last year.
Awards were given in several categories including the Danny Thomas Award, named for the founder of St. Jude's. The prize went to Miss Sue's class. Their theme was "Open Your Heart and Give."
Once all the donations are counted, the child who raised the most money will receive a Rugrat's video and the second place winner will be awarded a $10 check. The prizes were donated by the family of Jake Womble, a former student at the Children's Center and a patient at St. Jude's.
To make a donation to St. Jude's, mail contributions to Central Children's Center, c/o St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302. Checks should be made payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the leading centers for the study of diseases that kill children.
Penny Randall is assistant to the editor at The Meridian Star. E-mail her at prandall@themeridianstar.com.