Challenge calls for each class to raise funds

Ironton High School classmates of all ages are pitching in to help one of their own.

Several of the school’s graduating classes are coming together to donate money for Bethany Bibb, a current IHS student who is in need of $35,000 for a double-lung transplant. The girl has had cystic fibrosis since she was 3-years-old.

Belinda Brown and Lori Thomas, both members of the class of 1978, are challenging each class to raise an amount of money that correlates to the year they graduated. The class of 1978, for instance, raised $78.

Brown and Thomas graduated with Bethany’s mother, Elizabeth Bibb, and wanted to help out their friend.

“Liz is a good woman and we go way back to high school,” Thomas said. “I just can’t imagine (what she’s going through). I don’t know how to explain. You just look at it and say, ‘I’m so thankful for what I do have.’”

Thomas had originally challenged her friends on Facebook to each donate a dollar to the cause.

When did not go well, they decided to instead challenge each of the classes. Again, they used Facebook to spread the word about the campaign.

“That took off better than anything I’ve ever seen,” Brown said, adding that she did not have a Facebook account but relied on Thomas and others to give her updates.

So far $1,500 has been raised from the graduates’ efforts. According to Bethany’s website through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, to date over $21,000 has been raised towards the $35,000 goal.

It’s not only Ironton graduates; the Symmes Valley High School class of 1967 has also donated funds.

“We’ve had a really good response from the (Ironton) classes in the ‘70s and ‘90’s,” Brown said, adding that she would like to encourage the classes from the ‘60s, ‘80s and the past decade. For those who graduated in 2000 or later, Brown suggested raising $100 plus the amount of their year.

“It’s up to the class to determine how much but if they could at least give the amount of their year, that would be great,” Brown said.

For more information or to donate, see Bethany’s website at www.cotaforbethanyb.com. Donations can also be dropped off at Ironton High School.