Online Votes To Help Schools Win Money

Two schools in Lithia Springs are in the running for up to $20,000 that will go toward facility improvements.

and  have submitted videos and uploaded them to the Big Lots “Lots2Give” program website. The schools are competing against others from across the country, with prizes given to the top online vote-getters.

Turner Middle Principal Eric Collins said students want to buy sports equipment such as tables for ping pong and badminton racquets. Students also would like improvements done to the gym, he added. 

In Turner's video, viewers are shown why the school needs gym renovations.

“We looked at it as a partnership,” Collins said. “We felt like this was an opportunity to possibly win a monetary award.” 

School system spokeswoman Karen Stroud said the contest was suggested to the schools interested in applying. Supporters can vote up to three times a day until July 4 on the contest website.

“We’re trying to beef it up so we can get the most votes," Annette Winn Principal Mary Woodfin said. “We have put it out there ourselves in any kind of medium we can.” 

Woodfin selected a committee of teachers to work on the project, which also had input from students, parents and other members of the community. 

A new running track, awnings spanning from portable classrooms and outdoor picnic tables are among the items they would like for the school. 

Big Lots is a national department store that has three locations in Cobb and Douglas counties near the elementary and middle schools. This is the fourth year the company has held the contest.

“We asked participating schools to put their creativity to the test by submitting a short video and brief essay explaining why their school is in need of financial support,” the site states. 

Second-place prizes at $2,000 each will be awarded to 30 schools, and four schools will receive first-place prizes of $5,000. Only one will receive the $20,000 grand prize.

All participating schools will be part of an in-store donation program. Patrons can provide cash donations to the schools at participating stores that will go directly to the school at the end of the contest. 

Collins said he looks forward to the opportunity of a win for Turner Middle. Woodfin said she believes that Annette Winn has a good chance of winning the grand prize. 

“We’re trying to get the word out as far as we can,” she said.