Student's effort nets big rewards for cancer patient

By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The plight of one young man turned into a combined effort across Hartselle City Schools.
Chase Williams, a fourth grader at Barkley Bridge Elementary School, wanted to help a family friend diagnosed with cancer by filling a milk jug with aluminum tabs, which could be converted into housing needs for patients and families at Ronald McDonald House.
Williams went to his teacher, Rhonda Russell, and asked if he could put up signs around school to collect the aluminum tabs.
The fourth grade class jumped in and got the word out by posting signs asking everyone to save their aluminum tabs. They gave up recess and extra circular activities to put the tabs, one by one, into milk jugs. Soon the word spread to others outside the school. Contributions came pouring in with Crestline Elementary School as one of the biggest contributors. Vicki Blankenship, a CES fifth grade teacher, had included a note in their weekly newsletter. Consequently, parents were also saving tabs at home and at work. Astoundingly over 22 gallons of aluminum tabs were collected and contributed to the Ronald McDonald House.
Williams said the project was a great success. He is the son of Danny and Tabbetha Williams of Hartselle.