Dr. Gene Hales wiped water from his eyes and climbed back on a seat high atop a dunking booth Friday morning, waiting for yet another Kerr Elementary youngster to toss a ball his way, hoping to hit the target and land their superintendent in the cool waters below.

Many did, as ball after ball was tossed Hales’ way, many striking their mark and wetting the fun-loving superintendent who said he was happy to be a part of such a wonderful experience.

The same was true all morning, as teachers, assistants and coaches were dropped from their perch into the cool waters, all to help raise money for this year’s Relay for Life.

Twenty-four L.C. Kerr Relayer’s came up with the fund-raising idea, which they hoped with raise over $1,000 for their team and the cancer event, held every year during the first weekend in June.

According to assistant principal Sharon Herring, the fund-raising started amongst the Relay team as a way to bolster the funds they wanted to garner for the event.

“We started by having weekly raffles and T-shirt sales amongst the staff,” Herring explained, adding that the committee, which is composed of 24 L.C. Kerr staff members, wanted to create an event where the kids could be involved; hence, a dunking booth.

“This is really the first time that we have gone to another level of allowing kids to join,” Herring shared of the five-hour dunking booth fund-raising.

“The children had an opportunity to donate money to a worthy cause and at the same time a chance to attempt to dunk his/her favorite teacher,” educators further revealed.

“For every dollar the student donated, they got three balls to throw,” Herring explained of the process.

Before the event, she expounded, the committe promoted reaching their goal by revealing “if each student and teacher made a $2 donation, the teams $1,340 goal could easily be obtained.”

The five-hour event began with a crowd favorite, Coach James Hobbs entering the dunking booth and, eventually, landing in the water. In addition to Hobbs and Hales, teachers, assistants, the media specialist and Herring took their turn in the booth and in the water.

As for the event, Herring said, “It is to remind the children that the money will go towards finding a cure for cancer;” therefore, she said, all L.C. Kerr staff members urged students to donate at least a dollar.

While enjoying the cool water below, Hales chimed in, “This has been a great event for the kids, and it involves them in a very important community event — Relay for Life. It is a great chance for the kids to participate.”

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at 910-592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com