In its 10th year, the Anson County Partnership for Children’s Barn Blast fundraiser will celebrate the life of Shaundasia T. Smith.
Shaundasia was the 16-year-old daughter of Shawn L. Smith and Natasha Y. Smith. She was raised by her grandparents, Sheriff Landric Reid and his wife Cassandra Reid. Her life ended March 29 when she was the victim of a fatal shooting during a sleepover.
Shaundasia was a rising senior at Anson New Technology High School with aspirations of attending college to study architectural engineering. Friends and mentors describe her as an outgoing person who loved her volleyball team and always encouraged her teammates to do their best.
“She was very giving to the community,” said Shaundasia’s former principal, Chris Stinson. “Her grandparents instilled that in her. And she always put others first.”
Ahead of this year’s Barn Blast, organizers are inviting community members to “Sponsor a Child for Shaundasia” by donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each donation of $25 will fund one child’s registration in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for a year.
The Anson County Partnership for Children’s goal is to provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to every child in Anson County from birth to 5 years old. Each year, Barn Blast guests and others donate to support this literacy program.
Currently, the agency supports more than 1,300 registered children in the program. An age-appropriate book is mailed to each child each month encouraging the family to read together.
Studies show young children with access to books in their homes have improved literacy and vocabulary skills as they enter school and are more likely to succeed in school, according to the Partnership for Children.
Donations and can be mailed to Sponsor a Child for Shaundasia, Anson County Partnership for Children, 117 S. Greene St., Wadesboro, NC 28170.
The 10th annual Barn Blast fundraiser is planned from 5-11:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 at the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Tickets are available now at the Anson County Partnership for Children. Reserved tables for 8 are $400 and single tickets are $60.
Organizers are also seeking support from Anson County businesses and agencies. Sponsors and donors will receive advertising in the Barn Blast program, immediate recognition on Facebook and the Partnership’s website and recognition at the event. All sponsorships and donations are tax-deductible.
The Anson County Partnership for Children is a nonprofit public-private organization formed in 1996 in response to the North Carolina Smart Start initiative. Its mission is “helping to make Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child.”
All profits from the Barn Blast are used for programs that address the needs of children and families in Anson County, focusing on child care, health, literacy and family support.
For more information, contact the Partnership for Children at 704-694-4036 or visit www.ansonchildren.org.
Bonnie Morgan is literacy and outreach coordinator for the Anson County Partnership for Children.