By Karen Riefensberger
Melanie Hood is a school counselor at Crozet Elementary School who over the years has given support and love to countless children and families. She has been battling leukemia and is preparing for a bone marrow transplant. With expensive out-of-town treatments, time off from work, and a young child, Melanie and her family are experiencing extreme financial difficulties.
Melanie has taught our children important lessons about character, friendship, and community, has helped them through difficult situations, and has made them laugh and smile and love their school. She is a truly unique, shining star of a person, and we want to do all we can to return her dedication to our community and show our love for her. The Crozet Elementary PTO organized a successful raffle at the school’s Cultural Literacy Night, and more and more families are stepping forward to help with fundraising to benefit Melanie and her family.
Please join us for these community-building fundraising events to benefit Melanie Hood:
• Visit Greenhouse Coffee at the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 at Claudius Crozet Park with proceeds to benefit Mrs. Hood.
• The Mile for Melanie fun run festival will be held Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m. at Crozet Elementary School field with face painting, raffle, personalized poetry, and refreshments.
• On Sunday, May 22, photographer Kevin Blackburn will hold a fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at his studio at 2374 Jefferson Hwy, Suite 108, in Waynesboro. Donors who contribute $50 will get a 20-minute photo shoot and take away a CD with electronic images. Appointments are required in order to participate in this fundraiser. Call 540-470-0543 to schedule a time. All the donation will go to Melanie Hood.
To make a donation, please make checks payable directly to Melanie Hood and deliver to the Crozet Elementary School office in an envelope marked “Melanie Hood PTO.”
For more information on the events, call 434-409-1789.
