Gravette alumnus donates money to area schools
School officials beginning the new school year with the complications of covid-19 have found there are added expenses this term. The cost of sanitizing surfaces, cleaning supplies and added custodial staff, as well as costs of technology to facilitate online learning, come in addition to the usual school budget.
These circumstances make a generous donation from one of the school’s supporters an especially welcome gift. So school administrators in Gravette, Decatur and Gentry were excited to learn that a Gravette alumnus, Sammy Laney, owner and director of the DEB Project (Deserving, Enriched and Blessed) in Bentonville, wanted to give each school $3,000. In a brief ceremony Monday afternoon, Aug. 17, Laney presented checks in that amount to representatives from each school.
Attending to receive the donations were Maribel Childress, superintendent of Gravette schools, and Heather Finley, Gravette school board president; Kris Davis, social worker at Decatur schools; Kristen Smartt, assistant principal at Gentry Middle School; and Dorie Davenport, a counselor at Gentry Middle School.
Laney, the former Sammy Boling, is a 1992 graduate of Gravette High School. She operates a thrift store at 1140 N. Walton Blvd., Suite 6, in Bentonville and says the school donation funds were given by generous shoppers who saw a need and wanted to help meet it. Realizing the altered conditions this school year, they asked that the money be used to purchase student supplies or teacher supplies. As with the proceeds from her thrift store, all funds will go to benefit the kids.
In her remarks at the check presentation, Laney encouraged all area business owners to donate any extra funds they might have to local schools. Even a small amount can sometimes make a big difference, she said. “Ask yourself, ‘Where can I make an impact?’” she said. Area educators have worked so diligently to make this school year a success “it’s the least we can do for them,” she said.
“The second thing teachers need,” in addition to extra funds, “is prayer,” Laney said, “to relieve the stress.” Davis acknowledged that could often make a huge difference, especially when dealing with students who have seemingly insurmountable needs.
Clothing from the DEB Project thrift store is donated to families of foster children so they can focus on meeting the emotional and physical needs of the child. Like-new clothing is provided when the child first enters foster care and throughout their time in the program. “I’ve been helping foster families since 2012 and I feel like I’m just starting!” Laney said.
A back room at the store is filled with baby needs, new socks and underwear, children’s shoes and hygiene projects and Laney acknowledged that many times school representatives come in for clothing, shoes or other items for a student whose family cannot afford them. She says she draws satisfaction from being able to make a difference in those students’ lives.
No one draws a paycheck at the thrift store. All sorting of donations, pricing, labeling and seasonal store turnover is done by volunteers. Student volunteers who need projects for school or civic service clubs can sign up to earn a college scholarship under the store’s internship program. By putting in 25, 50 or 100 volunteer hours, they can receive a $250, $500 or $1,000 college scholarship.
Student volunteers must be age 16 or older but 14and 15-year-olds will be accepted if they bring a parent to work with them. Laney says she hopes to foster humanitarianism in these young people, to train them to be the future helpers in their church or in their community. “So many kids don’t have a voice,” she said, “and there’s so much bullying.” She just wants to teach them to “always show kindness.”
Business hours for the store are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Laney says she is currently updating the store’s website, www.debproject.com, and hopes to start an online store in September to raise additional funds to help support DEB Project grants.
Donations of new or gently-used clothing, sizes from infant through adults, purses and shoes are always welcome, Laney said. Financial donations and gifts of nonperishable food items are also a blessing. And a gift of time is especially welcome. There is always work to be done around the store and projects are available for individuals or groups with a few hours to spare. Anyone with questions may call Laney at 479-5449397.