Young student leads cancer fund drive at Forrest Hunt

Forrest Hunt principal Tammie Ashe and Asst. Principal Matt Hopper were wrapped in toilet paper after students met their fund raising goal of $250 to be given to cancer victims. Jeffrey Henderson, second from right, led the fund drive and received help f

An upcoming fifth grader at Forrest Hunt Elementary School has proven one person, no matter the age, can make a big difference in the lives of others. Fifth grader Jeffrey Henderson led a fundraising event the final days of the school year to assist two young children who have leukemia in Rutherford County.

effrey got the idea to help cancer patients after he and other students were singing Rachel Platten's Fight Song during music class. Jeffrey came up to media specialist Karen Glover and asked about conducting a fund drive.

"We're singing the Fight song in chorus which I really like, but I was thinking we should do more than sing," Jeffrey told Glover. He asked if the students could raise money for kids fighting cancer.

"It was the sweetest thing," Glover said.

With only a couple weeks remaining until the end of the school year, students set a $250 goal.

Jeffrey got the help from friends and they made collection cans, posters, a cute video and talked with principal Tammie Ash about being wrapped up in toilet paper if the goal was reached.

The last day of school, the $250 goal was reached principal Ash and Assistant Principal Matt Hopper were wrapped in toilet paper in the front lobby of the school students and other administration personnel looking on.

"Honestly, I think it's the coolest thing that's been done at our school since I've been there," Glover said. "It was 100 percent student led. It shows how one person, no matter how young, can make a difference for others," she said.

The money was divided between leukemia patients Colby Whitesides of Rutherfordton and Maryssa Dysart of Cliffside. Colby is homeschooled and Maryssa is a student at Cliffside Elementary School.