LaFayette Woman’s Club donates $6,000 to Shop with a Cop, funds three scholarships
On Monday, Jan. 10, at the LaFayette City Council meeting, Mayor Andy Arnold and the LaFayette Woman’s Club presented a check for $6,000 to the LaFayette Shop with a Cop program. The club is also funding three LaFayette High School scholarships for female students.
The donations come from the 10th annual Reindeer Run. Sponsorships and race entries contribute to the money raised for the Shop with a Cop program and to three LaFayette High School scholarships. The 2021 race had 46 sponsors and 324 race entries.
This year, in addition to donating to the Shop with a Cop program, the LaFayette Woman’s Club will donate $3,000 in LaFayette High School scholarships for female students.
“This is the first year the race has raised enough money to set up three scholarships and fund them annually,” said Rachel Oesch Willeford, the president of the LaFayette Woman’s Club and the race organizer.
LaFayette High School Principal Maggie Stultz said the scholarships will be helpful.
“Community scholarships always help our seniors in post-secondary or career driven opportunities. These three scholarships are especially helpful as they will go to three different female students. One student that attends a four-year college, one that attends either a fouror two-year college, and one
that attends a vocational or trade school,” she said.
In addition to the check presentation, members of the LaFayette Woman’s Club are distributing Certificates of Appreciation signed by the mayor and the LaFayette Woman’s Club president to the Reindeer Run sponsors. Gold and silver level
sponsors will also receive a commemorative Reindeer Run ornament.
Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks said the Shop with a Cop check will make wishes come true for local children next Christmas.
“The Shop with a Cop program puts police officers and firefighters with local children to make sure they
have a very Merry Christmas. This money is crucial to ensuring that we can continue to make wishes come true for another year,” he said.
For more information on the Reindeer Run or the LaFayette Woman’s Club, contact Rachel Oesch Willeford at 706-200-8099 or racheloeschwilleford@ gmail.com.