Community race to benefit Fulton schools

As a new school year is about to begin, supporters of Fulton Public Schools are hoping to generate some extra funds for district teachers and students.

With a little bit of organizational help from Clint Smith, the Fulton Public Schools Foundation will be hosting the Once You Know Fulton 5k race/walk on Sept. 29 to help add to the organization's endowment fund.

Smith, who has run in countless such races, said he was inspired by the Race to the Rocker in Cuba, Mo.

"The first year there were about 100 runners, the second year there were about 300," Smith said. "They donate money back to the school system. This past year they had a little over 800 runners and donated $14,000 to the Buddy Pack Program.

"We have 13,000 residents just in the city limits. I thought there's got to be a way we can try this."

As a former school board member, he said he is well aware that "there are always needs" in classrooms for extra supplies or projects.

Upon contacting the Fulton Public Schools Foundation about the idea, Smith said he discovered foundation leaders also had been contemplating hosting a fundraising run, but needed a little help getting started.

"It's something I've put before our board that we needed to do. We kind of let Clint give us direction," said Bruce Hackmann, chairperson of the Fulton Public Schools Foundation board of directors. "I think it's a good event for Fulton itself, and it helps to get word out there about the foundation itself."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.