Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

More than $5,000 raised for Easter Seals

With the help of several friends, family and businesses from Clark, Nevada and Hempstead County, John Smithpeters and his mom Vickie have raised over $5,000 for Easter Seals.

John was recently chosen to be a Love Train Ambassador for Easter Seals.

The Love Train helps raise money for Easter Seals and the Ambassadors give Easter Seals a face.

This year's Love Train goal is $425,000. Chairmen are selected and each chairman sets their own goal to reach. The money raised by each chairman goes towards the $425,000 goal.

John's mom, Vickie, is a chairman on the Love Train.

Vickie said, "We are so proud of the money raised for Easter Seals. People have been so nice and generous through our campaign. We are proud of the money we have already collected; however, we are still waiting on four grants we may also receive. That should add about $5,000 more to our total."

John has enjoyed all the activities while raising the money. On April 13 an auction was held at the Center Grove Methodist Church in Okolona. John was there with his family and friends enjoying hot dogs and hamburgers donated by the Shiloh Baptist Church and prepared by his Grandparents, Glenn and Lessie Elkins.

John said he had a good time and was glad he had so many fiends. He had a special thank you for his Aunt Elsie and his cousin Sandra Rodgers and to all the people who donated and the churches that helped him.

Each day John receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as special education services. All which will help him to become independent.

With the help of the services offered at Easter Seals and the dedicated people working there, John has began to feed himself and turn pages in a book. His favorite activity is playing in the water, like most kids his age do.

"John will be able to continue his stay at Easter Seals and learn more skills to help him in life, due to the great response to the Love Train," said Vickie.