The John E. Thomas building holds 2100 canned food items Friday from the Fall Festival at Hardin Park Elementary Friday, Oct. 2.

by DEEANNA HANEY
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Hardin Park Elementary School’s administration could be found sleeping on the roof, wearing tutus to class and drinking a dozen raw eggs after the students collected cans for the Watauga County Hunger and Health Coalition this week.

Appalachian State University Student Ambassadors paired with the school to collect the cans.

As an incentive for students to donate at least 1,000 cans, Hardin Park’s administration promised they would perform varying activities if 1,000 cans were collected.

Principal Mary C. Smalling, who slept on the roof in a tent Friday night, said they did not expect the goal would be exceeded.

Cartoon by Crissy Cole

“They were taunting us with their canned goods all last week,” she said.

Assistant Principal Jim Godwin wore a tutu around school and Assistant Principal Philip Norman ate one raw egg for every 200 cans that were collected.

Appalachian Ambassadors collected the cans at Hardin Park’s Fall Festival and will combine them with what is raised by the Chancellor-For-A-Day Canned Food Drive beginning Nov. 2.

Each Appalachian student who contributes a can will be entered in the grand prize drawing to switch places with Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock for one day.

While the student sits in Peacock’s office, Peacock will attend the students’ classes and eat lunch in the cafeteria.
Last year, the event raised over 6,000 cans, and this year, Appalachian Ambassadors hope to exceed the number.

“I’m optimistic about 10,000 cans,” Matthew K. Rogers, senior marketing major and Chancellor-For-A-Day chair said. “We actually think it can happen.”

When the drive is over, each can is served to residents in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties.

“It’s extra special because these are people that you pass every day and these are people that can directly affect your life and whose life you directly affect,” Rogers said.

Anna H. Gaugert, senior marketing major and Chancellor-For-A-Day publicity chair, believes it is important for students to donate as Boone temperatures continue to drop.

“It only makes sense to really give back to the community,” Gaugert said.

Four students from Hardin Park will help drop off the collected cans to Watauga County Hunger and Health coalition Friday.

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