Fayette's elementary

school students raised more than $18,000 in this year's Power Parade,

conducted each year to raise funds for children their age who need a helping

hand.

The funds go

to the Fayette Youth Protection Home Inc., a nonprofit corporation that

owns the Asden Johnson and Jim Friday Homes in Fayette County. The combined

facilities house 16 children for extended care and take them out of situations

of abuse or neglect.

"We saw

an increase in participation from almost every school this year,"

said Eva Collier, a Youth Protection board member. The Power Parade is

in conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness month and the event not only

raises money but also sheds light on the problem of abuse. "Many

times the work the schools do on this project," Collier added, "will

cause a child to come forward with a report of abuse. That in itself makes

it all worthwhile."

Sandra Watson,

principal at Peeples Elementary School, said that schools must "pick

and choose carefully" the fund-raiser that they will support because

there are so many. Peeples Elementary took top honors for the second year

in a row for raising the most money, $5,678.

President of

the charity, Asden Johnson, said, "We are aware that schools do so

much fund-raising already and are just pleased that they continue to support

us in such an important way."

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