Students, teachers, administrators, and parents present Nancy Reidel of SouthEastern Guide Dogs and Mr. and Mrs. Don Hagadorn with a check, while guide dogs, black lab, Jackson and, yellow lab, Dexter watch.

Students at Lake Carolina Elementary (LCE) emptied piggy banks, created lemonade stands, and even donated money intended for Christmas gifts to raise money to sponsor a guide dog puppy for the blind.

Each year, LCE students vote on the community service projects they will undertake, and this year, they voted to help the Southeastern Guide Dog Association (SEGDA) provide a trained dog to an individual in need through one of the organization’s adoptions.

Lake Carolina Elementary School teacher Wanda Skrabak (l) with Lanie and her guide dog, Dexter. SEGDA serves seeing impaired citizens in states throughout the southeastern US. It is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to train and raise guide dogs and then place them free of charge with a blind person.

The organization provides training for pets and owners to facilitate independence. SEGDA is based in Palmetto, FL, but has outreach centers in Concord, NC, and Villa Rica, GA.

The first step in the process was to raise the $1,750 in funds necessary to sponsor a guide dog puppy. LCE established a time line that included six months to accomplish this step. However, due to the hard work, dedication, and generosity of the school community, they were able to complete this step in about 30 days.

The second step in the process was to name the sponsored puppy and send in the funds raised for its sponsorship. LCE students submitted names and voted on the top three submissions: Gator, Elsie, and Chance. The school then held a special presentation where SEGDA representatives Nancy Riedel and Don Hagadorn were given a check to fund the school’s dog.

During the ceremony, students had the opportunity to meet two retired guide dogs and their owners. They also had the privilege of meeting a working dog with Lanie, a blind college student, and her guide dog named Mac.

Students were also educated about the entire training process through a variety of methods including a Power Point presentation, a video from SEGDA, bookmark, coloring pages, and displays.

Throughout the process, students used the life skills promoted by Richland District Two of caring, cooperation, effort, organization, perseverance, pride, and responsibility. LCE stresses these skills throughout the year, but the practical applications employed in this process made the yearlong lessons real to the students.

The LCE community is currently waiting on the birth of its puppy. Once it is born, the school will receive a keepsake album and frequent updates throughout the training process. They will be notified when their guide dog is placed, and then, if the owner chooses to keep in touch, LCE can follow some of their experiences together.