LAURIE CARUSO

Staff writer

Students from local schools, sponsors and supporters of the 22nd Annual Junior’s House Blue Ribbon Walk nearly filled the Lincoln County Fairgrounds grandstand in anticipation of the yearly walk and fundraising event. Donated funds assist Junior’s House in providing hope, healing and advocacy for children and families in the community.

On hand for the event was Joyce McConnell, retired Lincoln County sheriff and child abuse investigator of the Sheriff’s Office. McConnell spearheaded the effort to establish Junior’s House more than two decades ago when she was a member of the Leadership Lincoln Class. The name Junior’s House is in memory of Junior Thrasher, a six year-old child who died as a result of severe physical abuse. Junior’s House provides children and families comprehensive services following a report of child sexual or physical abuse.

This year, Fayetteville and Lincoln County as a whole donated $80,000 to Junior’s House, Inc. “You allow us to stand strong in our mission,” said Crystal Guess, executive director of Junior’s House, Inc. Child Advocacy Center. “Junior’s House services are free.”

Junior’s House is a place of safety, hope and a place of trust where kids can find their voice, she said. Additional support for Junior’s House came from Marshall and Bedford counties, which the organization also serves.

This year Wayne Damron was selected to receive the Humanitarian Award. Damron, retired pharmacist and owner of Carter’s Drug Store, was awarded the Humanitarian award prior to the start of the Walk. The award is presented to an individual who goes above and beyond the call to support Junior’s House. “He (Damron) has a deep love for this community. … Each December he walks through the door to make sure kids have Christmas presents,” said Guess Following the Humanitarian Award presentation, top donors, sponsors and Fayetteville and Lincoln County Schools were recognized with Blue Ribbon Awards. Collectively, the schools raised $14,549. On behalf of Junior’s House, Guess extended her deepest gratitude to all the “incredible sponsors, schools, businesses, community partners, teams and individuals who helped make the event a success.”

Regan McVey, president of the Junior’s House student advisory board, thanked the silver and bronze sponsors and expressed her gratitude to the participating schools. She announced the amount schools donated and requested students to accept the award on behalf of the school. Riverside Christian Academy donated $275; Huntland High School, $775; Flintville, $850; Unity,$925; Highland Rim, $1,078; Ralph Askins, $1,103; South Lincoln, $1,325; Lincoln County High School raised $1,490; Huntland Junior High School, $1,155; Fayetteville High School raised $1,775; and Fayetteville Middle School, $2,150.

Following the presentations, energetic students along with others in attendance made the 2.6mile round-trip walk from the fairgrounds to the Fayetteville Square and back, bringing awareness of Junior’s House mission to the community.