West Noble High School principal Nate Lowe recently accepted a large check from the Burnworth Zollars Ford-Mercury dealership in Ligonier. The donation will put extra funds into the hands of sports teams, academic clubs and other groups at West Noble.
The money was generated by Burnworth Zollars and Ford Motor Co., as part of their 'Drive One for Your School' program.
To help raise that money, area residents just had to take a test drive in a new Ford vehicle and fill out a short survey. For each test drive and survey completed, $20 was earned for West Noble High School. Collectively, those test drives have added up to nearly $6,000 in donations for student activities, according to Lowe.
The "Drive One for Your School" event is part of a national campaign of the Ford Motor Co., and Burnworth Zollars owner Rick Zollars has hosted two of the special days. A third is set for Saturday, Sept. 11, at the dealership on U.S. 6 in Ligonier from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Burnworth Zollars general manager Ken Cook recently presented Lowe with a check for $3,220 from the second event held this past spring. That brings the total raised from two events to nearly $6,000.
"It is a quick and easy way to support our students," Cook noted.
"The funds are needed and the community support allows us to help our students in a larger way than any of us could do alone," added Zollars.
According to Zollars, the participation of friends and family is key to the success of the Drive One events. "It is truly a case where each individual makes a difference," he said. "The numbers add up quickly when each person takes 15 minutes out of their morning to support the kids."
Boys and girls from the high school who are members of different clubs and groups help bring in people for the fundraiser, and then their club receives a share of the proceeds. Clubs taking part so far have been girls and boys golf teams, track club, Academic Super Bowl, Charger Care, Student Council, girls soccer, FCCLA, girls basketball and band.
More details are available from the school or at Burnworth Zollars, located on U.S. 6 in Ligonier.