Donation Covers Fall Festival Admission For 1,000 Four Oaks Elementary Students

FOUR OAKS — Admission to this year’s Four Oaks Elementary School Fall Festival will be covered for 1,000 students following a $5,000 donation to the school PTA.

The Fall Festival will be held Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the school.

The donation from Amazon’s Smithfield operations facility will cover the $5 student admission fee through the PTA’s Cardinal Friends & Families Give Back initiative.

Four Oaks Elementary Principal Lyndsey Dunn said removing the admission cost will allow more students to take part in the event.

“As a principal, there is nothing more meaningful than seeing our community come together to ensure that every child feels included and valued,” Dunn said. “Amazon’s generous donation to cover admission for every student to our Fall Festival is about so much more than a free ticket. It is about removing barriers, creating memories, and making sure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of being part of their school family.”

Four Oaks Elementary is the largest elementary school in Johnston County and is a Title I school.

The PTA said the donation is intended to help families who may otherwise have difficulty paying admission for school activities.

The school announced the contribution to students and families this week. Ryan Thompson, site leader at Amazon’s Smithfield facility, also visited the school to deliver symbolic “Golden Tickets” for the event.

Johnston County Public Schools Parent and Community Engagement Liaison Tracey Clark said community partnerships can help schools increase family participation.

“Johnston County Public Schools is appreciative of community partners such as Amazon who share our same interest in education and support us in our ongoing efforts to increase parent and family engagement,” Clark said.

The PTA is also raising money for a digital sign at the school that would be used for announcements, safety information, student recognition and bilingual communication with families.