SEARCY, Ark. – As we approach the National Day of Encouragement,
Harding University students compete against one another in an effort
to help one young girl.
Students are uniting in friendly competition in order to help Searcy
resident Christine Clemons get a lung transplant. The goal set by the
University’s student association is to raise $75,000. This is a
campus-wide fundraiser that shows a different type of encouragement
from years past where students performed service activities throughout
the community.
“We’ve shown one way to encourage,” says Bryan Clifton, student
association president. “So let’s make this a lifestyle.”
Clemons, 18 months old, was born with a congenital heart disease that
required two open-heart surgeries and now requires a lung transplant.
The cost of the surgery is $75,000, and University students decided to
raise the money.
Students are competing in a “Texas vs. The World” competition, which
has students from Texas trying to raise more money than the rest of
the student body. Students will also compete in a Lenny’s Sub Shop
eating contest, and work for tips at both McAlister’s Deli and Pizza
Pro. All proceeds raised will go to help the family.
The end of the fundraiser will be Sept. 12, the National Day of
Encouragement, where the student association will present the funds
raised to the Clemons family. The association estimates about 40
percent of the student body is involved in the project.
Online donations can be made at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/cota_events.
For more information, contact Clifton at 501-729-4090 or e-mail
sa@harding.edu.
