Boyd County Alumni Helping Teachers
Grace Phillips
Ashland Beacon
It may be the middle of summer break for students, but teachers are already planning their classrooms for the coming year. A recent study shows during the 2022-2023 school year, teachers spent approximately $820 out of their own pocket for classroom supplies. This past weekend a group of Boyd County High Alumni met for a weekend of fun, food, and fellowship to help ease this burden for a number of teachers in Boyd County.
Cammie Kersey, Foundation President for Boyd County Alumni Helping Teachers, explained their fundraising efforts originally started during a reunion for the class of 1986. They had planned a golf scramble as a part of the reunion. “We found out that a classmate from the 1985 class had a grandchild who was about to be born with a lot of health issues. We decided to donate the money we raised in the scramble to this family. We were able to give them $1,500 from that day.” Kersey continued, “Fast forward...Covid…and then a couple of years later we got together again. We decided to play golf again...for money because that’s what guys do right? A number of us have family who are teachers, and we know what they have to spend out of their own money for their classrooms. We decided to split the money and help some of these teachers.” Last year they were able to raise $10,000 and gave 18 teachers $500 each.
Shannon Ray, a board member, continued the story, “Originally, we were helping the one family, but when we got back together after Covid, we realized that there were so many families in need. We feel like education is the best way to help families in need. With the teachers being about to have an aesthetically stimulating classroom and the right supplies, the students will be more involved in the learning process and have a greater chance for success.”
Ray’s long-term goal is to see every teacher in Boyd County get some amount of money each year. He added, “I know it’s a big goal, but we are hoping to get more corporate sponsors in the future as well as individual donations and other graduating classes involved in the cause. Lion Pride Runs strong! We were thrilled to have 23 golf teams participate this year.” The goal for this year was $20,000, double what they raised last year. As of Thursday night, they were approaching $18,000!
According to Kersey, there is a nominating process that has now closed. “We opened nominations on our Facebook page several weeks ago, and we now have 30 nominations for this year.” To be eligible for one of the awards, the teacher must be an alumni or the family of an alumni of Boyd County High School.
In just three short years, the group has grown from helping a friend in need to helping multiple teachers each year as they nurture the future generations of Boyd County residents. A foundation has been formed and now has a 501c3 charity designation, which allows all donations to be tax deductible. If you would like more information about Boyd County Alumni Supporting Teachers or would like to make a donation, contact Cammie Kersey through their Facebook page.
