Walk for Tots: Slatonite sets sight on good cause
Walk for Tots: Slatonite sets sight on good cause
Samantha Shankles
Slatonite Samantha Shankles and adopted father Jimmy McDonald will be walking with a purpose come Sept. 25. With the motto “every step is another kid’s smile,” the pair will be walking 120 miles from Grafton, Va., to Fredericksburg, Va., to raise money for local charities and the Virginia Toys for Tots.
They hope to raise $5,000 from the walk, $2,000 of which will go to local charities, including the American Cancer Society, the Slaton Animal Shelter, and the Lubbock ASPCA. The remainder will benefit the Virginia Toys for Tots.
McDonald, who lives in Newport, Va., said he chose to raise money for Toys for Tots because he believes that “every child should have a Christmas.” This is his second walk for Toys for Tots. Last year he walked to Richmond, Va., but Shankles – who is joining in for the first time – wanted to go even further this year.
Shankles shares McDonald’s passion for Toys for Tots, saying she has been part of it since a young age, whether receiving toys or watching her father fix bikes and donate them.
She chose to donate to the Slaton Animal Shelter because she also has a passion for animals.
The American Cancer Society is close to Shankles’ heart because she lost her father to cancer five years ago. She wants to raise money for cancer research “so another person doesn’t have to lose family to it.”
Shankles and McDonald will embark on their walk Sept. 25 and finish by Sept. 29. In the meantime, donation jars have been placed at the Slaton Pharmacy, the Slatonite office, and other local businesses so that Slatonites can donate to the cause.
You can also donate at https://fundrazr.com/c1Gnf1?ref=ab_b5G3a9 or contact Shankles at shankles34@gmail.com. They are accepting set dollar amounts, toys, or an amount per mile.
