Cardinal giving. MCE raises $8,350 towards The Boot.

Sheriff Kim Cole, left, accepts a check from Eric Sherman of MCE.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

CUSTER — Students, staff and parents at Mason County Eastern Schools have raised $8,350 towards The Boot school door safety device. Of the money, $5,520 was donated by the school’s PTC program. An additional $2,600 was raised during a two week challenge from all grades. The winning grade was the senior class, which raised over $400. The fifth grade class was the highest fund raiser in the elementary raising over $300.

Teacher and school safety liaison Eric Sherman said he was proud of the entire community for its efforts. “It’s amazing what this community will do,” Sherman said. “We just live in a great place.”

The money raised will pay for installation of half of the district’s 75 doors. A door costs $230 for material and installation by the Lockdown Company.

Sherman said the Custer VFW has also committed to raising money. Another $3,845 has already been given to the Community Foundation for Mason County with specific dedication to MCE.

“I’ve always known we live in a group community but I am just amazed every day we receive money,” said Sheriff Kim Cole, who is overseeing the fund raising efforts. “When something needs to be done, our community just steps up.”

Sherman said he was impressed with how some of the money was raised. He talked about a family who donated change that family members had been saving for three years. “They wanted to save this change and give it to a good cause,” he said. “We had students who came to our arts and crafts fair and set up a both. We even had first graders who gave us game tokens. To them this was probably something that was special and it meant something for them to give it up for a good cause.”

Those wishing to donate, may write a check to the Friends of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, c/o Community Foundation for Mason County, PO Box 10, Ludington, MI 49431. Note in the memo line: Adopt A Door.