Strong Support Helps Battle Hunger

WAITSBURG - Dayton and Waitsburg students col- lected 1,093 pounds of food and nearly $600 in cash donations for local food banks this past weekend, during a new, joint-community event coined "The Battle Against Hunger."

The two school districts were looking for an extra, non-league basketball game and hit upon the idea of a Cardinals-versus-Bulldogs match (boys and girls) and involving both communi- ties, according to Stephanie Wooderchak, Waitsburg High School athletic director and secondary principal.

The two districts hope to turn this into an annual event. This year it was host- ed in Waitsburg.

"It was our first year at this, and we thought it was a great success," Wooderchak said. Attendees and students brought food to donate, while student helpers wore Santa hats and gave out candy canes.

To add to the festivities, the Dayton and Waitsburg bands played together. And the announcer, Fred Ha- mann, reported on weight and cash amounts through- out basketball games as donations poured in, Wood- erchak said.

"Each time he announced the increases, we had huge fan support and both com- munities applauded," she said.

The final results were Waitsburg, 640 pounds, and Dayton, 453 pounds.

"One thing we didn't ex- pect but were pleased with was the cash donations," Wooderchak said. Warren Farms donated $300 to the Dayton Food Bank and $200 to the Waitsburg Food Bank. Wooderchak also reported an additional $90 in various cash donations was col- lected, for a total of $590.

"My congratulations to both schools and to the efforts given by administra- tors, coaches, support staff, and kids to pull off a great project for our communities," said Dayton School District Superintendent Doug Johnson.

Waitsburg Junior High Students (including Associ- ated Student Body and class officers) and various Waits- burg High School students helped with planning and carrying out the "Battle."

The 2014 "Battle Against Hunger" will take place in Dayton next December.