St. Vincent students thank benefactors

Southeast Missourian

At about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, about 20 fourth-graders lined up in the Immaculate Conception playground, waiting for their new "heroes" to emerge from the parish sanctuary.

When the St. Vincent De Paul student council representatives exited the doors, the fourth-graders performed "the wave" like they do in baseball stadiums.

"Thank you for the 500 dollars!" one child yelled.

It was a sunny morning at Immaculate Conception School Wednesday as construction workers continued building the campus expansion, a project made necessary when last May's tornado destroyed the gymnasium and some classrooms. IC officials gratefully accepted a $500 check donated by St. Vincent De Paul, a Catholic K-8 school in Cape Girardeau.

St. Vincent raised about $1,000 in a fund raiser called "Trash to Treasure," an event where students bring garage-sale type items like old toys and stuffed animals from home. The items are laid out on tables and the students purchase raffle tickets to purchase the items.

For the older students, teachers also put out certificates, including homework exemptions.

The money went to Immaculate Conception to help pay for its campus expansion.

"When the idea came up, we voted on it and it was a unanimous vote to donate the money to IC," said Blake Palmer, president of the 12-member student council.

The other half of the $1,000 will be spent around St. Vincent de Paul.

"We're very grateful for the thoughtfulness," said IC principal Tami Nenninger.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635