NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School students were hard at work this week not only with schoolwork, but also helping in the fight against cancer.

The school’s second annual cancer awareness week, sponsored by the Beta Club and National Honor Society, invited students to pay $1 to wear an item of clothing geared around specific phrases.

Friday students wore ties to “tie on against cancer” or a tie, scarf or crazy socks to “sock it to cancer.”

A total of $435 was raised throughout the week.

After several faculty members were diagnosed with cancer last year, the need for a charity that supports local cancer patients became a priority said club advisor Brooke Holland.

Holland said seeing the students participate in activities that support their community is the ultimate reward as an educator.

“To see them take initiative to want to do things other than worry about themselves, but to worry about others, is a great feeling,” Holland said. “It means that we’re really doing our job as leaders.”

Kevin Campbell, member of Beta Club, National Honor Society and president of the Key Club, sported Winnie-the-Pooh socks and a holiday necktie on Friday.

Campbell said he was glad to see so many people dressed up or even giving money if they didn’t want to wear the clothing.

“This is so special because it goes to people in our school and in the community that are being affected by cancer,” Campbell said. “I think it shows we care and that we are a family.”

Holland said last year half of the money was given to a family without health insurance and half was given to the family of Michael Wynne Ray, who served as the president of Adams County Christian School Board and was battling melanoma.

After the school learned that Ray had died on Thursday, Campbell said a lot of the students made an extra effort to dress up on Friday in his honor.

“This year was more special because we knew some of the money was going to him and his family,” Campbell said. “It can’t bring back a loved one, but I hope it shows this school cares.”