TFS hosts “What’s Your Cause?”

Students, faculty and staff members discovered a little fun to benefit a few good causes on the final day of school before Spring Break. Hosted by Tallulah Falls School’s National Honor Society, “What’s Your Cause?” provided a way to stage fundraisers for four student-selected causes. This year’s causes were: Augusta Burn Center, Lupus Foundation of America, Wounded Warrior Project and Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD).

According to faculty organizers Kelli Bly and Terri Bogan, the goal was “to educate, inspire, and ignite a passion for caring and to raise awareness for members of our society who face life-threatening and certainly life-changing issues highlighted by these organizations.”

TFS Upper School Dean Kim Popham said the event is an important part of the school’s mission to build character in its students. “Raising money for these causes is very personal for our students,” Popham said. “Events like this enrich the student experience at TFS.”

TFS senior Eli Keene of Demorest stretches to block a shot by TFS assistant athletic director and coach Lowell Hamilton. Also shown is senior Emmanuel Cureton of Timberlake, N.C.
TFS senior Eli Keene of Demorest stretches to block a shot by TFS assistant athletic director and coach Lowell Hamilton. Also shown is senior Emmanuel Cureton of Timberlake, N.C.

During the event, Popham again shared her personal story of a burn accident involving her oldest son, who was 20 months old. In the decade since the accident, Popham has shared with students and staff the story of her son’s treatment journey at the Augusta Burn Center.“But for many, it was the first time they had heard it,” Popham said.

During the half-day schedule, students watched informative videos and experienced committee-created presentations. Other team-building activities were designed to build a sense of unity and purpose, reminding students that when everyone works together toward a shared goal, positive change can occur.

Fun events included having various teams compete in timed activities in an effort to “beat the clock” against other teams. Other fundraising initiatives included the sale of baked goods, small tokens and Wounded Warrior Program bracelets. A faculty/student basketball game, a TFS tradition, provided a final highlight.Fundraising remains ongoing through Friday April 17, Popham said.

For more information on “What’s Your Cause” or to make a donation, contact Bogan at [email protected] or Bly at [email protected]. To view more photographs, find Tallulah Falls School on Facebook.