ROCK HILL, S.C. — A York County charter school is making a difference in one mother's life through a “No-Shave November” fundraiser.
Students at Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill collected donations to benefit a mother affected by cancer in the community. Friday, their hard work paid off.
Legion Collegiate Academy teacher Lance Roberts doesn't usually don a beard, but this November he decided it was time to grow it out for a good cause.
“I just wanted to do something special," Roberts said. "I just, you know, I wanted to involve the students here. I wanted to involve my classes.”
Roberts challenged the study body at the small charter school to collect money to benefit a local family affected by cancer.
His search for a worthy recipient led him to Latressy Barber — a mother of five with stage four colon cancer.
“It’d been depressing and trying to rebuild and trying to stay strong," Barber said. "This right here is definitely a battle and for me to come out today, it was wonderful. I loved it.”
Barber received a check for more than $2,800. The money raised will help her celebrate Christmas with her children.
“I never gave up," Barber said. "I was like, Lord for me to be here for Christmas, it’s a blessing enough, but for me to actually be able to go and buy them something, it’s even better, and I’m thankful.”
The top five students who raised the most money were rewarded by getting to shave off Roberts’ beard in front of the student body at an assembly.
Roberts said he's glad his beard is gone, but he's grateful for the lasting impact it could help make on Barber's life, and the motivation it gave students to help someone in need.
“Today, when I was hearing the cheers, it was like I forgot I had cancer," Barber said.
Contact Kendall Morris at kmorris2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.