Schools

MVHS Fundraiser Turns Mulch Into Cash for Senior Class

Saturday's mulch sale raised almost $20,000 for the senior class all-night graduation party.

by Nancy Wilochka

It’s an annual ritual – sometime after the azaleas bloom, but before the summertime heat sets in, homeowners spruce up their yards with mulch.

Since 2004, thousands of residents have relied on the (MVHS) Annual Spring Mulch Sale to help beautify their landscaping, and help out a good cause to boot.

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“The mulch sale is a fundraiser coordinated by the MVHS Combined Parent Council, and the monies raised from the sale helps fund the senior class all-night grad party. The party is an alcohol and drug-free event to celebrate their accomplishments as our seniors prepare to move on to the next chapter of their lives,” said Martha Coleman, MVHS Combined Parent Council President.

This year’s mulch sale, held this past Saturday, was a huge effort that tapped the muscles of about 35 parents, 131 students, and numerous faculty/staff, businesses and community members.

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So how much mulch can such a diverse group sell?

“We may have set a record this year, selling 9,135 bags of mulch. About 8,800 of those bags were delivered to area homes,” Coleman said, adding “We raised over $20,000 for the all-night party.”

Delivery vehicles ranged from minivans (one teacher/volunteer packed 34 bags of mulch and a few student volunteers into his wagon, delivering almost 400 bags in six hours) to large dump trucks donated by area businesses.

The bags of mulch themselves have a connection to the high school. Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape sold the bags to the school – the business was established by Phil Williams and Krisjan Berzins in 1997. Both were 1993 graduates of MVHS, and both owners were members of the varsity football team.  

And to keep those volunteers fed and happy — and hauling around tons of mulch — several area businesses pitched in.

“We received donations from some of the parents, Panera Bread, Dominoes, Roy Rogers, Popeye’s, Old Country Buffet and the wonderful Mrs. Rhonda Williams. For trucks and equipment, Dean Norton, Cherry Blossom, Hilltop Sand and Gravel (Michael Gailliot), Master Roofing (The Floyds), Town & Country Pools (Eugene Coleman), Pinto Contractors, EP Mowing (Henrique), Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape (Krisjan Berzins) really pulled through! Our volunteers who brought their trailers – Ron Skaggs, Carlton Evans, Kiwi Custom Carpentry (Campbell Wood), and Kit Matteo were a huge help,” said Coleman, who also thanked Janet Myhre and Kim Marino for making and donating the signs and sandwich boards.

The next fundraiser is a car wash, scheduled for May 5. For more information on the MVHS Combined Parent Council, click here.


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