By Karla McArthur, Correspondent
SARDIS, AL — Sardis Middle School continued a growing tradition of supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a schoolwide fundraising drive that blends creativity, competition and community involvement.
The school has supported St. Jude for many years, and in 2023, the campus’ Peer Helpers group began leading the effort in hopes of raising awareness and increasing participation among students.
Over the past four years, the fundraiser has evolved to involve the entire school. Each homeroom decorates a collection container for donations — starting with jugs, then small paint buckets and eventually cardboard boxes — allowing students to showcase creativity while contributing to the cause.
During that time, Sardis Middle students have raised $7,822.55 for St. Jude. This year alone, the school collected $1,796.69.
To make the fundraiser more engaging, organizers introduced a friendly competition among homerooms. Donations earn or subtract points depending on the type of currency deposited, adding a strategic twist to giving.
Collection boxes are placed in the school lunchroom each day so students can contribute to their class totals. On Tuesdays, the school holds “Attack Day,” when students can visit other homerooms’ boxes and deposit money that either adds or subtracts points.
Classes can also earn additional points by placing in contests for best decorated box and best box name.
Faculty and parents also played a role in boosting participation. Teacher Ms. Striplin shared reminders through the school’s ParentSquare communication platform, encouraging community involvement. During attack periods, some students even brought larger donations — including $50 and $100 bills — to support their homerooms.
As a reward, Peer Helpers will provide donuts to the winning class and cookies to the class that raised the most funds.
Organizers say the fundraiser does more than collect donations. It also builds connections among students and encourages a sense of belonging.
The event is organized by Savanna Striplin and Jamie Shirley, Peer Helper advisors at SMS. “These activities bring our school together for a cause bigger than ourselves,” Striplin said. “Students build relationships and feel more connected, which helps them open up and share their feelings,” added Shirley.
Photos of the decorated boxes and student projects from past years can be found on the group’s social media pages, Sardis Middle Peer Helpers, on Facebook and Instagram. The pages feature albums highlighting the creativity of students and the school’s communitywide involvement in the effort.
