Superintendent Ron Wimmer is the Ty Pennington of the De Soto district. Though he’s not giving home makeovers, he’s making a change in district by starting a fund that provides financial assistance for students in need.

Founded by privately donated money, the fund is now called the Ron Wimmer Student Care Fund. Wimmer was humbled by the fund being named after him.

“I’m honored but I’m more focused on helping,” Wimmer said. “I didn’t create the fund for the purpose of it being named after me.”

The fund has helped three families so far, including a De Soto family, the Sheltons. After receiving a $500 check at the district’s convocation Monday, Aug. 11, the Sheltons were able to get school supplies for the kids and pay off a few bills.

“It gave our family hope,” Abigail Shelton said.

The Sheltons have been through a lot with their son, De Soto High School sophomore Jimmy Shelton. Jimmy lost his eye at a young age then later discovered he had a form of leg cancer. Due to leg cancer he started school in a wheel chair, but because his treatments were unsuccessful, he asked his doctors to amputate the leg.
The money they received from the fund came as a much needed boost to the Sheltons.

“I was just kind of blindsided,” Jimmy said. “I didn’t see it coming at all it was just like, boom, $500 to help your family. It was kind of generous.”

The Shelton had become discouraged with the school system in the district they were in prior to De Soto.

“Jimmy was going through chemo and they said he they would just fail him because he missed too much school,” Abigail said. “Coming out here the school district was a complete turnaround. We had started to lose faith in the school district.”

There are no requirements to receive help but there is a process. A teacher or official will make a referral to Wimmer about a student in need. Wimmer will then try to verify that the money will be spent appropriately. For example, if a student was provided with money for clothes the fund would ask to see the receipt to confirm the spending.

Wimmer encourages students who have a need to go talk to a teacher or a counselor. Also, students looking for a community service or just want to give back, this would be a good fund to support.

“A dollar from each student from the school would help a child with special needs,” Wimmer said. “Just even 50 cents could help raise $500.”

So far the fund has about $12,000 which includes actual contributions and pledges. All the money will go to the students.

“When we handed out checks these people were in tears,” Wimmer said. “It makes you feel really good about what you’re doing.”