‘Ditch Digger’ to give away school supplies
From our weekly issue dated September 02, 2009
David Anderson Excavating again will have a booth at the Illinois Valley Lions Club Labor Day Festival, dispensing school supplies to valley students.
“This year’s economy may have put a bigger hurt on family pocketbooks, and this is one way to help our community move forward with our kids,” said Anderson. “Kids can participate once each day to win,” he said.
This will be the fifth consecutive year that Anderson has promoted education at the festival with his booth that provides valley students with supplies needed for school. The booth has grown from one table with some crayons, pencils and filler paper, to a full booth providing every item that is required on the Three Rivers supply list for Illinois Valley schools.
“This has been another hard year for local excavators, but we keep on digging,” said Anderson. “It is when times are tough that you dig deeper and try harder. This is a lesson that students of today should heed.”
Anderson has been a fixture in Illinois Valley since the age of 11. He attended the Kerby school until it closed and Evergreen took its place, later attending Illinois Valley High School. A high school drop-out, Anderson learned his lesson the hard way.
But, “I just keep digging on,” he says.
“I have always been proud of being a ditch-digger, but who knows what I could have done had I stayed in school,” said Anderson. “One thing I do know: If I had completed my education and considered higher education, running my own business would have been a whole lot easier.
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“I want the kids to learn from my experience,” he said. “It is my hope that by offering this once-a-year, free activity booth that encourages education, it might add just enough fun to keep the community kids excited about returning to school.
“Besides winning free school supplies, we have once again added more special surprises to be offered throughout the three-day festival.”
Holding with the festival theme, “Celebrating 150 Years of Oregon History” there will be some surprises for the public.
Anderson has been part of the I.V. Lions Club Festival for several years.” said Steve Lyons, club president and festival chairman. “During the past four years the David Anderson Excavating school supply booth has been one of the most popular booths among the kids.
“Although sight and hearing are the main focus of the Lions Club, we encourage and support all positive efforts that focus on our kids. After all, they are our future. See you at the festival.”
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