Cook kicks off Pacesetters campaign

Realtor Tony Cook of Murphy is surrounded by students from Macon County Middle School's student government on the tent platform constructed in his honor. With the help of additional sponsors, Pacesetters plans on constructing eight to nine more tent platforms.

Tony Cook, Sales Representative for RE/MAX Mountain Properties, gave Pacesetters Development Campaign a solid kickoff with a $1,000 tax deductible donation on December 11th. Cook, a Cherokee County native and graduate of Murphy High School, has seen local youth gain self esteem and positive team building skills when participating in Pacesetters' adventure programming. "I've really enjoyed watching students engage in the many different activities offered at the Adventure Center and wanted to help the Center grow and offer even more things for local youth to do there," Cook stated.

Pacesetters is a youth services agency started 15 years ago at the urging of Tom Trawick who served for many years as Cherokee County's juvenile court counselor.

Today the organization provides a wide array of programs and activities for students in the five western counties of North Carolina.

Activities offered at Pacesetters Adventure Center located in Marble off Fairview Road range from students climbing the Alpine Tower and Great Wall of Opportunity; learning golf basics under the instruction of a PGA Class A Instructor; maneuvering a rescue basket with a victim inside through seven elements of the team development course; studying macro invertebrates and other forms of aquatic life; or fishing for trout and tubing the scenic Valley River.

Over 40 different youth agencies ranging from regular classrooms, athletic teams, alternative schools, student governments, after school programs, and scouting units currently use Pacesetters Adventure Center at no cost to the agency, the youth, or their families.

The goal of Pacesetters Development Campaign is to construct the necessary facilities so that students can spend multiple days at the Adventure Center camping and sharing in all that the Center has to offer. Plans include construction of more tent platforms and a bath house with appropriate restroom facilities and showers. A number of local sponsors have already pledged $500 to help construct additional tent platforms. One area contractor is developing plans to build the bath house this spring with another individual pledging installation of the septic system.

For more information about how you can have a positive impact for today's youth and contribute to the Development Campaign, contact Gil Hargett, Pacesetters Executive Director at (828) 389-0747 or email paceset@ dnet.net. Potential contributors are also encouraged to visit Pacesetters website at westerncarolinapacesetters. org.

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