TOP FIVE SPELLERS - Woodlawn School District hosted it spelling bee recently, with Jayci Rauls taking the top prize. She used her prize money to launch a campaign to raise funds for local charity Cleveland County Cares. Pictured left to right are Jayci Rauls, first place; Shelby Nooner, second place; Victor Hi, third place; Landree Sullivan, fourth place; and Grant Rushing, fifth place. These five get to represent Woodlawn School District in January at the Cleveland County Spelling Bee at Rison Elementary School.
WOODLAWN - When 12-year-old Jayci Rauls won at the Woodlawn Spelling Bee, she felt inspired to do something bigger with her prize money.
Her generosity has quickly amassed over $1,750 in contributions to local charity Cleveland County Cares, which provides Christmas for local families in need.
Jayci, the daughter of Colby and Sesaley Rauls, said she watched a TikTok video of a girl donating to a Christmas Angel Tree. She wanted to do something similar for her community, so asked her parents for help.
She started with her $50 prize money and wanted to donate it to Cleveland County Cares. Her parents matched it with a $100 donation.
“I thought maybe we’d raise $300,” she said, but the donations kept coming and are close to passing $2,000.
Jayci plans to continue accepting donations through Monday, Nov. 24.
Friday night, Jayci and Woodlawn High School’s FBLA will host a 50/50 raffle at the Woodlawn Playoff Game.
Tickets are $2 each, and 50 percent off the money collected will go to Cleveland County Cares, and 50 percent will be given to a lucky winner during the fourth quarter of the game.
Cleveland County Cares, a non-profit organization, which operates under the Pioneer Village at Rison’s 501(c)3 status, only assists individuals referred by churches, schools, or the DHS office to ensure aid reaches those most in need.
Led by former DHS administrator Malinda McKnight, the organization already has 43 children on the list to help this holiday season.
“I am so thrilled by Jayci’s generosity,” said McKnight. “She has raised more than any individual donor.”
For more information or to contribute, contact McKnight at (870) 692-2332. Make checks payable to Pioneer Village with "Care Fund" written in the memo line. Mail donations to: Malinda McKnight 100050 Hwy. 35 North Rison, AR 71665 or drop off at the Cleveland County Herald office, 215 Main Street, Rison, AR 71665.
McKnight is not the only one thrilled.
“If a 12-year-old girl can do this much for our community in 24 hours, think of what we all could accomplish together,” said Jayci’s father Colby.
More details on the reach of the Cleveland County Cares mission can be found in the special episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast. The episode is streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com