Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County School November 2013 | Page 8

CaroMont Health and Gaston County Medical Society
Alliance recognized for AEDs donation
The Gaston County Board of Education recognized CaroMont Health and the Gaston County
Medical Society Alliance for donating Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to each of the 11
Gaston County middle schools. Board member Chris Howell presented an appreciation plaque to
each group’s representative during the September 16 meeting.
The Gaston County Society Medical Alliance started the project as an opportunity to boost
awareness about the successful use of an AED during sudden cardiac arrest. Funds for the
defibrillators were raised through the Community Foundation’s Run for the Money and a grant
from CaroMont Health.
CaroMont Health in partnership with the Gaston County Medical Society Alliance sponsored
a symposium in August. At that time, middle school principals were presented an AED complete
with a storage cabinet and signage for their school. Principals also received additional training on
how to use the defibrillators. The total cost of the project was $17,758.77.

Gaston County Schools Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon stated,
“We are very grateful to Carolyn Niemeyer and the Gaston County
Society Medical Alliance and to CaroMont Health for this generous
contribution that will help to save lives during an emergency situation.
We sincerely appreciate their generosity.”

GCS student collects more than 150 pairs of shoes for children in need
A Gaston County Schools student collected more than 150 pairs of
new shoes and donated them to Rankin, Pinewood and Catawba Heights
elementary schools.
Samantha Black, a fifth grader at Rankin Elementary, came up with the
idea as a community service project.
“As a member of Girls on the Run, I thought what better way to
give back to our schools than to collect new shoes for children in need,”
explained Black, who had originally considered collecting school supplies.
With the help of her mother, Samantha organized Running for Shoes
5k/Fun Walk, which was held August 3 at Tuckaseegee Park in Mount Holly.
Her goal was to collect 50 pairs of shoes. Before the run, Samantha
had received 41 pairs of shoes from people in the area and as far away as
Virginia.
“We posted fliers throughout Mount Holly and used social media
to spread the word,” said her mother, Angelia Black. “One person even
donated a pair of shoes to us in a restaurant parking lot after recognizing
Samantha in our fliers.”
The run brought in an additional 61 pairs of shoes and raised $800
toward the purchase of more shoes.
Rankin Elementary principal Kristin Kiser expressed her gratitude for
Samantha’s community service project.
“Samantha used her love for running in such a way that she has
given back to her community and her peers,” said Kiser.” This
demonstrates extreme vision, creativity and determination.”
“I am truly thankful for everyone who participated in this
great cause,” said Samantha, who hopes to make it an annual
fundraiser.
If you would like to contribute, please drop off any new
pair of shoes at Rankin Elementary School, 301 West Central
Avenue, Mount Holly, N.C. 28120 or mail a donation to
Running for Shoes, P.O. Box 3, Mount Holly, N.C. 28120.

For more information, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/
RunningForShoes5kFunWalk.

6 • November/December 2013• Parent Teacher Magazine?