ST. MATTHEWS -- The aroma of fresh baked cinnamon rolls filled the Calhoun County High School cafeteria earlier this month as the cafeteria staff prepared a fund-raising dinner to help keep families warm during the holidays.

The funds raised will assist needy families who were selected by the Department of Social Services but not personally known by the school staff. A choice of two dinners, spaghetti or chicken tenders, was offered, and a huge demand for cinnamon rolls had the volunteers and staff scrambling and packing boxes like Santa's helpers. A collective chorus of "Wash your hands!" was echoed by the staff as students came in eager to assist.

The idea was the brainstorm of Kathy Wise, a St. Matthews resident and cafeteria manager at Calhoun County High.

"Our cafeteria staff met to see how we could help the community, and although toys and food are generally collected, we wanted to do something to keep families together and warm for the holidays. A child wants to be with his family during the holidays and play in his own home," Wise said. "We came up with the idea because we have the facility and the talent and volunteers it takes to be successful."

Two families were initially chosen through DSS, she said. One family is an elderly couple raising children, Wise said, and the other family is a young couple who had to have their children placed in an alternative housing temporarily until the heating bill is paid.

"We had an initial goal of two families, but the response has been emotionally energetic and the love just keeps flowing," she said.

Mary Curry of St. Matthews, who has worked all day at John Ford Middle School, arrived with an offer to help. And, Catherine Brown, also of St. Matthews and a substitute, came in on her day off to help with the dinner.

"Believe it or not, I have had more people volunteer than was actually needed," Wise said, "and I hated to turn them away because the will to do well was so heartfelt."

Sheridan Hamilton of Orangeburg, principal of Calhoun County High School, said when Wise first approached her about the project to help the community, she knew the faculty and staff would be willing to help.

"Everybody loves the cinnamon rolls, and a lot were pre-sold," Hamilton said. "We have a staff that works well together and are supportive of one another. This benefits everyone."

Wise was quick to add that Calhoun County High School was recently named one of the best high schools in America.

"We have team players here, and we support each other," she said. "Everyone has worked hard to make this benefit a success, and my heart is so full right now."

At the end of the busy day, it was estimated that the cafeteria staff had surpassed the goal of two families and probably would be able to assist six families.

T&D Correspondent Jan Jordan can be reached by e-mail at Jor8J@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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