Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smithpeters is again chosen as Easter Seals Ambassador

John Smithpeters has recently been chosen to be a Love Train Ambassador for Easter Seals for the second consecutive year.

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

Last year Smithpeters was chosen as an ambassador and together with his Mom, raised almost $10,000 to help Easter Seals. Last year's Love Train goal was $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 has been a chairman on the Love Train for the past two years.

Vickie said after last year's campaign, "We are so proud of the money raised for Easter Seals. People have been so nice and generous through our campaign.

John enjoyed all the activities while raising the money last year and is looking forward to helping again this year.

On April 13, 2002, 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.

This year on April 12, a barbecue dinner will be held at the Center Grove Methodist Church in Okolona in order to raise the necessary goal for Easter Seals this year.

The dinner will start being served at 5 p.m. and is available as a sit down dinner or take out. The dinner includes a chicken leg quarter, potato salad, beans, a roll and a dessert. Dinner tickets can be purchased at First State Bank of Gurdon, or by calling Vickie Smithpeters at (870) 353-6428.

A Cantata will be held at 7 p.m. the night of the dinner. The singing is expected to last around thirty minutes and everyone is invited to attend.

A drawing will also be held the night of the dinner for an American Knight .50 caliber inline muzzle loader. Plyler's Hardware and Sporting Goods is helping sell chances for the gun. One chance will cost $1. Chances for the gun can also be purchased at Doug's Grocery and First State Bank.

The money raised through the auction and the chances on the gun will help John receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as special education services.

All in which will help him to be 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.