SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County Middle School Principal Tim Hood took it on the chin during an Oct. 3 homecoming pep rally at his school. 

He also took it in the eyes, nose, mouth and ears as J.D. Fulcher smacked him in the face with a chocolate pie as part of a CURE fundraiser. The event generated more than $1,400.

Hood said the opportunity to watch a school official suffer an indignity of some sort is always a good way to generate excitement among students. The sixth, seventh and eight graders roared with approval as his collision with the confectionery concoction neared.

“I volunteered for it,” he said. “They asked me to do it but I had no problems with it. This is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this is the biggest way that we have participated in it so far." 

The school raised money by selling bracelets and gold ribbons for the students to wear.

 “We also sold pictures in recognition of Childhood Cancer Month that they could hang on the wall,” Hood said.

CURE is near and dear to Effingham County Middle School’s heart. Two of its students, Fulcher and Kylie Shiell, have cancer. Shiell was too ill to attend the pep rally.

“We consider our school one big family and all the students recognize those two who have the illness,” Hood said. “They are very supportive and those students are always in our thoughts and prayers.”