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West Forsyth powderpuff tourney is fundraiser and food drive
powder

WEST FORSYTH — The list of ways to raise money is endless, but a local marketing education group at West Forsyth High plans to do so through a football tournament Thursday. No boys allowed.

West’s DECA club is holding the all-girls powderpuff event, which begins at 7 p.m. at the school.

Of course, all spectators — even boys — are invited to cheer them on. Last year’s inaugural event raised about $1,000 to be distributed among a few community service causes.

This year, monetary donations collected at the gate will go toward Care for Kenya to help with the country’s water problems, said Kathryn Kemp, marketing/DECA adviser at West.

Attendees are also asked to bring canned and non-perishable food, which will be taken to various local food banks, including The Place of Forsyth County, Meals by Grace and Cumming United Methodist Church.

“People sometimes don’t realize the hunger problems that are in such an affluent county,” Kemp said.

Students Hannah Crowe and Caleb Brown are organizing the event, Kemp said, which will involve about 75 students playing and 20 volunteers, all dressed by color according to their grade.

The tournament will have a four-team playoff, with the freshman taking on the juniors, while the sophomores try to topple the seniors. Winners then play for the title. The seniors won last year.

For those who can’t make it out Thursday, Kemp said the school will be continuing the canned food drive through the holidays.

Each month, DECA does some type of event to motivate people to bring in food. For example, she said, those who bring in three cans next month may get free cookies.

Kemp has been overseeing the canned food drive for six years. This year, more than 700 students are members of DECA.

“This is really to keep the food within our community and reach out in a fun way,” Kemp said. “To help families who over the long breaks may not have the free meals they need from school. So many kids only get to eat breakfast and lunch that is provided by their school all day.”