TOOELE — Kristine Camargo, Saint Marguerite School advancement director, won $1,000 in the Gatherings with Purpose Small Towns Big Dreams contest for December.
Camargo is the final winner of the Small Towns Big Dreams contests; there have been four previous winners within the year.
Through the online contest at Gatherings.info, Modern Woodmen of America awarded $5,500 in contest winnings in 2013, helping to kick-start community improvement projects.
Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services organization founded in 1883 to offer financial products and member benefits to individuals and families with local member chapters and youth service clubs across the nation.
"Members and the youth gather to perform community volunteering projects in their communities as well as social and educational events nationwide," said Sharon Snawerdt, corporate communications officer.
The contests were a way to encourage people to get involved in their communities. They started in 2012 and ran through this year as a way to encourage people to kickstart the dreams they might have to improve their own communities.
Camargo entered the contest because it was her dream for St. Marguerite School to be able to offer scholarships to children, allowing them the opportunity of a Catholic education, she said.
"When I found out that I had won, I felt the love and support of all those who voted for my dream," said Camargo, who received more than 400 likes on Facebook. "The students, parents, friends, families, parishioners, staff and community members who supported me in the contest were amazing. This was a group effort and they made it happen."
Of Camargo’s four children, only the youngest attends Catholic school, she said. "They were all in Catholic school at one time, but it became too expensive," she said. "I feel everyone should have the opportunity to give their children a Catholic education if they choose to do so. There are a lot of families who prefer what a Catholic education offers: a smaller class size, curriculum geared toward their child’s needs and the consistent teachings of Christ and the Catholic faith; Catholic schools often have higher test scores and a better chance of a child going to college. The major reason people turn down a Catholic education is the cost."
Modern Woodmen has helped the school in other ways, including providing curriculum materials, said Lorena Needham, St. Marguerite School principal.
"We came to know Melven Sweat, the local representative, who told us about the youth programs they offer and about the contest," Needham said. "After Kristine wrote up our dream for us, we spent five months rallying community support."
One of the organization’s main missions is community impact, said Sweat. "St. Marguerite School has used some of our free youth educational programs; we offer them as a way to give back to the community," he said. "The Gatherings.info website was created to contour our core value of helping people achieve quality family life."
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