Greene County High School’s NHS Stompers Relay for Life team rallied the help of other students, teachers, and the community in an Iowa-style take-out ham ball lunch Wednesday to raise funds for the Relay.
The lunch was the same meal served in the school’s Ram Restaurant that day, but NHS members delivered the 203 pre-ordered meals to businesses all over Jefferson. The sub-committee planning the fundraiser went far beyond expectations on the pre-orders, so the students recruited help from 30 more NHS members. They worked Monday preparing ham balls, cheesy potatoes and the dessert, with some teachers allowing the students spend class time in the Ram Restaurant kitchen. Retired family & consumer science teacher Rose Olhausen returned to help, and they were also assisted by FCS teachers Donna Carhill and Lisa Hansen.
On Wednesday the NHS members helped with the prep work for savory peas and dinner rolls for more than 200 meals. Other NHS students helped package the meals and deliver them; they also helped serve Ram Restaurant patrons.
The fundraiser netted $327.25 in tips and whatever proceeds are left after the expense of the food. That amount hasn’t been tabulated yet.
Ruth Broman is NHS advisor. “I was totally impressed, along with Mrs Carhill, with the willingness of the NHS students to work and raise funds for Relay for Life. I do know that they gained valuable experience on what it takes to run a restaurant, cooperation, and having a great time in the process,” she said. “I sincerely appreciated the Ram Restaurant students, Mrs Carhill and Mrs Hansen for their willingness to take on a challenge of this proportion.”
NHS students had various comments: “I think it went really well. We have so many businesses in the county that are good about a supporting the school and organizations. Most businesses even donated money after they purchased their meals.”
“I thought it was really fun and enjoyable because the people were really excited to get their food and thought that what we were doing was really cool. I thought everything ran very smoothly, and it was nice to see everyone helping out.”
“I thought that it was very successful…I know that I really enjoyed delivering and making all the food and I believe other students felt the same way I did. Overall, I think the day was a great success and I think we should do it again next year!”
