Razmear
07-24-2007, 05:07 AM
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20070724/NEWS/707240312/1051/NEWS01
Paul supporters pitch in to feed children's shelter low on supplies
By SHELBIA BROWN, shelbia.brown@shj.com
Published July 24, 2007
Supporters of 2008 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul hoped to prove to the public that they were real people by "spamming" the Spartanburg Children's Shelter.
After rumors surfaced that Paul supporters only vote or "spam" on Internet polls, Upstate supporters decided to show their strength in the real world through donations. Saturday, supporters took loads of canned food items, including Spam, to the shelter to prove that they were real people, said Eric Burke, an avid Paul supporter.
"We're not doing this for publicity," Burke said. "We're showing that we can do our part, as well."
Burke said he and other supporters got together to discuss different shelters to which they could contribute. When they came across the children's shelter, they felt it would be the best place to donate.
"It seemed like a very worthy cause." Burke said.
Once the word was out about the donations, he said people began to make monetary contributions, more than $300, online, as well as donating canned foods at Paul's speeches in South Carolina.
"It just grew rapidly from people donating money from all over the country," Burke said.
He said the group gave more than $500 worth of goods to the shelter, including coloring books.
Burke said it took four car loads to deliver the goods.
"It was a lot of food there," Burke said.
"We were really glad to get the donations," said Sylvia Stahley, director of development for the Spartanburg Children's Shelter. "We try to keep our pantry stocked, but this time of year our donations aren't the largest."
Stahley said the shelter receives a grant from Bi-Lo at an annual golf tournament to help fund the shelter's needs. Last year, the shelter received $3,800.
Stahley said the shelter houses and feeds children from birth to 18 years old. The children are fed three meals a day, along with three snacks.
"Food is always something we can use," Stahley said. "We have a lot of teenagers, and they eat an extra lot."
She said the shelter is nonprofit, and contributions of any kind welcome.
Paul supporters pitch in to feed children's shelter low on supplies
By SHELBIA BROWN, shelbia.brown@shj.com
Published July 24, 2007
Supporters of 2008 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul hoped to prove to the public that they were real people by "spamming" the Spartanburg Children's Shelter.
After rumors surfaced that Paul supporters only vote or "spam" on Internet polls, Upstate supporters decided to show their strength in the real world through donations. Saturday, supporters took loads of canned food items, including Spam, to the shelter to prove that they were real people, said Eric Burke, an avid Paul supporter.
"We're not doing this for publicity," Burke said. "We're showing that we can do our part, as well."
Burke said he and other supporters got together to discuss different shelters to which they could contribute. When they came across the children's shelter, they felt it would be the best place to donate.
"It seemed like a very worthy cause." Burke said.
Once the word was out about the donations, he said people began to make monetary contributions, more than $300, online, as well as donating canned foods at Paul's speeches in South Carolina.
"It just grew rapidly from people donating money from all over the country," Burke said.
He said the group gave more than $500 worth of goods to the shelter, including coloring books.
Burke said it took four car loads to deliver the goods.
"It was a lot of food there," Burke said.
"We were really glad to get the donations," said Sylvia Stahley, director of development for the Spartanburg Children's Shelter. "We try to keep our pantry stocked, but this time of year our donations aren't the largest."
Stahley said the shelter receives a grant from Bi-Lo at an annual golf tournament to help fund the shelter's needs. Last year, the shelter received $3,800.
Stahley said the shelter houses and feeds children from birth to 18 years old. The children are fed three meals a day, along with three snacks.
"Food is always something we can use," Stahley said. "We have a lot of teenagers, and they eat an extra lot."
She said the shelter is nonprofit, and contributions of any kind welcome.