Moline High School students competed against each other in a donut eating contest today to kick off their annual Share Joys Campaign.
The Moline High School Share Joys program has raised over $1,060,477 since 1949 for children in need from the Moline Schools. Last year, Moline High School students and staff, together with the community, raised over $47,865 to clothe more than 260 children who needed assistance.
The donut eating contest is usually the event that raises the most money for the campaign. This year, students and community members raised over $14,000 before the donut eating contest.
The donuts were donated by Donut Delite in Moline. Students had eight minutes to eat 16 donuts as fast as they could. The winners from that round advanced to compete in a championship round to see who could eat one donut the fastest.
"I just put as much in my mouth as I could and then took some milk with [the donuts]," said Stephanie Theofilis, a senior at Moline High School who was the Donut Eating Contest Queen this year.
"It's just a really rewarding feeling to know that you're helping kids in your own community who aren't as fortunate as you are," Theofilis said.
"It's really one of my favorite days of the year," said Allison Ryser, a counselor at Moline High School and spokesperson for the Share Joys Campaign. "It also teaches the students to be community servants, and they love it, it's addicting."
The campaign ends on Friday, December 11th. Moline High School and Middle School students will take all the money raised to JC Penny on Sunday, December 13th to shop for clothes for less-fortunate children.
Contributions of any amount are currently being accepted for the 2015 Share Joys campaign. Every dollar that is contributed will go directly toward helping make this holiday season happier for Moline School District children.
Checks can be made payable to "Moline High School Share Joys", and can be sent to Allison Ryser, Moline High School, 3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 61265.
For further information, contact Allison Ryser at 309-743-8827.