Rutherford County SRO Chad Dodson’s English bulldog stuffed animal Pancake offered his image to T-shirts to raise money for the PTO’s sponsorship of Lascassas Cares at Lascassas Elementary School. Dodson wanted to use Pancake’s image to give back to the students of the school and their families.
PTO President Jessica Fuqua said the organization raised $1,579 from the Pancake T-shirt sales for Lascassas Cares. The funds pay for clothes and birthday presents for Lascassas Elementary students whose families face financial difficulties.
Principal Randy Uptain said the PTO at Lascassas reflects how supportive the community is every day. When the administration and teachers identify a need for the students, the PTO always helps. “We always see families needing help during the holidays but the rest of the year that help seems to fade away,” Uptain said. “Lascassas Cares is our response to students and families needing help all year long. Our PTO was happy to partner with us to make this happen.”
Students are also collecting non-perishable food items to donate to the Lascassas Giving Box of free food for families in the community. The class donating the most food will spray administrators and Dodson with Silly String.
Dodson’s goal is to use Pancake to support the students and their families. “If Pancake can bring them some joy in this world, that’s what I want him to do,” Dodson said.
