Raising Cane’s supporting local community service projects

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

As part of the contestant bags for the upcoming Five Hills Scholarship pageant, all contestants will receive hundreds of dollars’ worth of valuable gift cards, coupons, and special offers just for participating. 

Among those perks will be a free meal card from Raising Cane’s in Copperas Cove, to each of the more than 100 contestants expected to compete in the upcoming pageant. 

Longtime Covite Shaun Smith is a class of 2001 Copperas Cove alum and is the general manager of Raising Cane’s. 

He recognizes that while a student in the Pride of Cove marching band, others gave back to him and his fellow band members. 

Now, he has the chance to do the same not for the contestants alone, but for the next titleholders’ service projects in the upcoming year.

This is the third year Cane’s is sponsoring the pageant, something that Smith says the store has done for as long as it’s been open in Copperas Cove. 

“We sponsor every platform the girls get involved in. It’s the kids, being able to show them that the community gets behind them and supports their ventures in life. It’s been amazing to see them grow, and to see their accomplishments,” Smith said. “Brianna (Liles) is a fine example of that. She came on to the pageant and ended up being Lemonade Day’s National Entrepreneur of the Year. That opened up a lot of avenues for her.” 

He enjoys paying it forward as a way to recognize those who supported him. 

“I wasn’t the best kid in school, and I ended up finishing at School of Choice, but being able to stay (in Copperas Cove) and grow and be successful here, it says a lot. You have to give back.”

Cane’s  in Copperas Cove also supports other causes such as the Pride of Cove Band Boosters, Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter and Pink Warrior Angels of Texas. 

Pageant registration is ongoing through March 1 at copperascovetx.gov/parks/five_hills_pageant.