Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District and Bluffton High School are collaborating with retired BHS teacher and longtime community supporter Tony Garton to bring back the “Buckets for Santa” fundraising effort this holiday season.
This is the 51st year for “Buckets,” which previously gave students, staff and community members a chance to compete against Garton in a shooting contest in the BHS gym. Money raised goes to various community projects and families in need throughout the year.
This year, Garton will have special designated shooters — BHS girls’ basketball coach Eric Mounsey and teacher Todd Morgan — in his place. “Buckets” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at BHS.
Garton will be on hand to meet with teachers, students and other visitors. BHMSD Superintendent Brad Yates and Garton discuss the legacy of “Buckets for Santa” in Wells County on the December episode of the Roar Report: A BHMSD Podcast.
“You’ve been a guy in the shadows providing tremendous benefit to our community for a long, long time,” Yates told Garton.
Garton, who says the effort wasn’t for personal notoriety, has continued the effort along with his wife, Luann, long after retiring in 2002.
“To know that 20 years after retirement you’re still out there doing it, it’s more than a legacy,” Yates tells Garton. “We’re excited as a district to continue that on your behalf because we don’t want it to die off with you hanging up the gym shoes.”
Donations can be mailed directly to: Buckets for Santa, 5191E-100S, Bluffton, IN 46714.
“We always tell people who want to donate to Buckets, we will guarantee you that whatever you give will be used properly,” Garton said. “It will be used the right way.”
