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Homeschoolers Lend Helping Hand

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: December 24, 2008

WIMAUMA - Christmas came early this year for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association Academy.

The school received a $1,000 grant from the Gibsonton Wal-Mart on Dec. 15.

The donation was delivered by representatives from South Hillsborough Christian Homeschoolers.

Originally, the group had a more modest holiday contribution in mind.

"Last year our organization made Christmas ornaments, and this year we decided to make gingerbread houses," said Alice Pauquette of SHCH. "We sent letters to different Wal-Marts and Publixes asking for a donation to help make the houses."

"Who would have known that would turn into a $1,000 grant?"
Pauquette said Vicki Tillman, the manager of the Gibsonton Wal-Mart, told her the store did not have more gift cards to give away, but grant money was available.
SHCH then contacted RCMA Academy principal Mark Haggett about writing a grant proposal.

"We asked for the grant so that we could help provide for families who are in need during the holiday season," Haggett said.

During their trip, the SHCH group also dropped off 10 gingerbread houses decorated by SHCH students along with the check.

A gingerbread house was placed in each of the RCMA Academy's 10 classrooms.

Wal-Mart and Publix also chipped in with gift cards that were used to purchase materials for the gingerbread houses.

"We had to be careful with the kids and make sure that they washed their hands and worked clean while they were decorating the gingerbread houses, since they were going to other kids," Pauquette said.

"We're a very small organization - we've only got about 25 families," Pauquette said. "But we really wanted to do what we could to help someone else in our community."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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