Fundraiser will help purchase new equipment

Got rice?

Willows High School baseball and football coaches, along with McCorkle Farms Trucking, teamed up early in the harvest for a fundraiser that was tailor-made for the community.

McCorkle Farms Trucking sent a truck and set of trailers to area fields the past two Sundays to farmers who were willing to donate some freshly harvested rice for a good cause.

The campaign was similar to a "stuff the bus" fundraiser used by schools needing the community's help for collecting school supplies.

"We thought we would do the same thing, but with rice, since that is our community's leading commodity," said Willows baseball coach Manuel Rakestraw.

The proceeds from the sale of the rice will be used to purchase new football helmets and shoulder pads, and new baseball screens.

Rakestraw said multiple fundraisers are held throughout the year to help Willows High School maintain athletic programs and purchase equipment.

"This fundraiser will really help us keep things up to par," he said.

Rakestraw said the school has been in need of new baseball screens for sometime.

Jeromy Geiger, Willows Unified School District board member and McCorkle spokesman said he was pleased with the response from the farmers.

The truck collected nearly two full loads of rice over two days.

"I think this could be an annual event, and hopefully we will be able to get it increased each year," Geiger said.

Strain Ranches Inc. of Arbuckle will dry, store and sell the donated rice for the Honkers.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.