We have E.T.’s back
More that $45,000 raised from within the community so far
Clinton Food City Manager Sam Turner holds two of the jars customers who wish to donate to the remod- eling of E.T. Stamey’s home may use. Behind Turner is the “The House That E.T. Built” t-shirt on sale at various businesses in Clinton (photo:Ken Leinart )
Stamey suffered a medical emergency earlier this year and has spent weeks in rehabilitation.
The community has rallied around the Clinton icon, raising funds to remodel his home to accommodate his new needs.
The fundraising has been on the local, community level — a grassroots sort of movement — that has shown Stamey how much his community loves and respects him.
From coin drives in schools to pancake breakfasts and t-shirt sales, and just drop-in donations to Clinton City Schools’ Central Office, the outpouring has been as unique as it is genuine.
“E.T. continues to make good progress. He still has a long way to go, but is making steps in the right direction,” Clinton City School System Director of Schools Kelly Johnson said.
“His house renovations are coming along nicely. We raised $45,000 from our wonderful community. Can you believe that?”
T-shirts can still be purchased at Clinton Drug Store, C&D Printing, Food City, Fox Toyota, Hoskins, and Rusty Wallace Chevrolet. All t-shirt sales money goes straight into his fundraising account. T-shirts are $20 each.
Clinton’s Food City has taken the grass roots movement to heart. A small jar is on the county at each check out stand accepting any donation a person wants to give.
Clintonians are showing that “E.T. Strong” is more than a slogan.