9-year-old Reece finds fundraising slow going

BY Ariana Shah

Reece Walsh, the Canyon Lake nine-year-old who caught the spirit of gift of giving and was featured in The Friday Flyer two weeks ago, is finding obtaining her $5,000 donation goal for Cops for Kids an uphill battle.

Reece and her classmates from Tuscany Hills Elementary School came to the Canyon Lake Country Club on Saturday to gather donations there as part of her “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart” fundraising campaign for Cops for Kids.

Reece Walsh, back, and her classmates from Tuscany Hills Elementary pose with Deputy Verostek outside of the Canyon Lake Country Club during their Cops for Kids “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart” fundraiser this week. Photos by Chelsie Simpson

As the kids worked all morning to gather donations during the drive, friends, families and golfers stopped at their tables to donate. Deputy Verostek from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department also stopped by the drive to offer up support.

“The fundraiser drive did not go as well as we had hoped,” Reece said. “But, we are still thankful for those who stopped by and donated.”

Students at Tuscany Hills Elementary are also collecting donations for the fundraiser beyond the designated drives. “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart” continues until Dec. 11, when Reece hopes to have gathered at least the $5,000 goal she has set.

The next donation drive will occur tomorrow (Saturday), from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Country Club. Reece is hoping the turnout and the amount of donations will make a bigger dent in the $5,000 goal.

Posters which advertise the fundraiser are posted throughout the Canyon Lake Town Center, Reece said. She picked the quote “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart” to promote the giving during the holiday season. If one is interested in donating cash or check, contact the Walshes at 951-750-0012, or show up at the Country Club tomorrow.