Brunswick County school’s PTA raises $70,000 to help teachers

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County teachers and school board members are praising one of their PTAs for a $70,000 check.

The PTA at Southport Elementary doubled their yearly funds for their teachers and students.

“It makes me feel that we matter,” literacy coach Virginia Anderson said.

Anderson said their PTA makes a huge difference.

“A difference that you can’t even explain,” Anderson said. “It helps us meet the needs of our students.”

That’s why PTA President Ashley Harrington says they raise as much money as possible for them every year.

“I know that the county and state cannot provide the school with everything that it needs for the best educational experience for our children,” Harrington said.

This year, she was not expecting to double their normal amount by raising $70,000.

“Absolutely not,” Harrington said. “We were so thrilled.”

Harrington said a big part of it came from an event they have never done before. It is called a “Dolphin Dash.”

“It’s a fun run,” Harrington said. “Students were encouraged to get pledges from family members and community members.”

At the event, students were encouraged to run up to 30 laps.

“I think it was such a success, because everybody was excited about it and because it was during the school day, every child was able to participate,” Harrington said.

That success along with a few other school events paid for new carpets, playground equipment, books, and gave teachers not only things they need, but things they want.

“We asked the teachers what their wishlists were and we were able to fulfill a lot of that,” Harrington said.

The list of projects they paid for goes on, but Anderson said whether it’s $70,000 or $7,  it’s the community’s support that matters.

“It makes me feel that we matter, that students matter, and that people care,” Anderson said.

The Brunswick County Board of Education recognized the PTA Tuesday at their regular meeting with a plaque. Harrington said the PTA still has several projects they are working on with that money including an outdoor observatory on the school’s nature trail.