Area customers recently helped a Fulton Casey's General Store beat out other Casey's stores across the Midwest for the most money earned for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The Casey's, located at 1301 S. Business 54, was able to contribute $5,541 toward the children's hospital. Staff of the store found out Monday they had won the competition. The St. Jude's fundraiser was held at all Casey's stores, which are located throughout nine states of the Midwest.
Libby Graham, employee at the Casey's on 54, said she thinks winning the competition is an "awesome" accomplishment for the store, considering that the population in Fulton isn't very high compared to some cities where Casey's stores reside.
"It just says a lot about the people here and their willingness to help," Graham said.
Graham contributes the win to the staff's efforts in holding events every Saturday during the month of October that got the community involved. The store offered activities such as a flea market, taking old time photos, a kiddy fair and a silent auction. The staff even dressed up in "101 Dalmations" outfits one day to pump gas for tips.
"We worked really hard, but the customers are the ones who made it possible," said Debbie Bonsall, store manager.
Bonsall said she decided that donating to St. Jude was important because of what the hospital does to help children.
"I have two grandchildren, and I know if they were sick and needed help, I would want someone to kick in and help," she said.
According to the hospital, St. Jude's mission is to "advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment."
Aside from the different events Casey's held during the month of October, the store also had a collection jar on the counter for donations. Bonsall said it was great the way "the community just kicked in and helped."