Amarillo—St. Mary’s Cathedral School captured top honors in the Elementary School Division of the annual Kids Inc. Donor Days Contest, presented by Coffee Memorial Blood Center.
The school received a $1,500 VISA Gift Card during a ceremony at the school April 25. In addition to the gift card, the school also received $1,000 in Dugger Dollars (scholarships for Kids Inc. sports fees) that was donated to San Jacinto Elementary School, where St. Mary’s Cathedral School principal Kathi Lewis once worked.
“For many years in February, Coffee Memorial partnered with Dean Sather and his local Saturn dealership for Saturn National Donor Days,” said Suzanne Talley, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Coffee Memorial Blood Center. “When Dean sold the Saturn dealership, it marked the end of Saturn Donor Days, something Dean wanted to see continue. While Dean is still involved with this event, lucky for us, Jimmy Lackey and the great people at Kids Inc. enthusiastically stepped up to the plate in 2010 to help continue the tradition.”
Now known as Kids Inc. Donor Days, the event has evolved into a month-long, tri-level competition for elementary, middle and high schools, according to Talley.
“Every eligible donor who presents to donate during the entire month of February at the blood center, at their high school or at select Kids Inc. Donor Days locations receives a t-shirt and can register their donation in honor of any area school,” she said. “The elementary, middle, high school or private school with the most votes based on total enrollment at the end of the competition wins a cash prize.”
Prize money and media promotion for the Kids Inc. Donor Days was provided by Amarillo Heart Group, Kids Inc., Education Credit Union, Cross Pointe Auto, United Supermarkets, Sonic, Dr. Pepper, Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Whitney Russell Printers, Bakersville Cupcakes, Bahama Bucks, ProNews 7 and Cumulus Radio.
“Kids Inc also provided thousands of dollars in Dugger Dollars, or scholarships for Kids Inc. sports fees to the top four elementary schools so that all kids have an opportunity to be a part of their community and play sports,” said Talley.
Travis Middle School finished first in the middle school competition while River Road High School captured top honors in the high school division. “This promotion is such a win-win,” said Talley. “Coffee Memorial gets the blood donations for the patients we serve in 31 counties and 29 medical facilities and the schools get the prize money to help kids. I can’t think of a more rewarding endeavor.”