A local private Christian school was looking for help, and they found some.

Newton Federal Bank granted Grace Christian Academy an extended lease to give the school located on I-20 next to Walker Transmission in Covington more time to secure funding to buy the property.

The school was in need of $50,000 by July 31 to buy the seven acres it sits on after the previous owner went into foreclosure.

Newton Federal gained ownership of the property on June 4, 2013, according to the Newton County Tax Assessor’s Office. Tim Allen, GCA principal, said it would cost more to move locations, and that would most likely result in another lease.

As of July 1, the school’s fundraising website, SaveOurGrace.com, had raised only $12,208 of the total goal.

“All we need is 2,000 people giving $25 and it’s there, we’re done,” said Allen in an initial story on GCA’s fundraising needs in The News. “We just want to get the word out to as many people as we can.”

Enrollment was already filled when Allen and his father Thom Allen – founder and administrator of GCA – notified parents of the school’s situation, and closing the school for good was never an option. Last year, the fully accredited K-12 school taught 75 students.

“It’s at an ideal location away from the road, which is a priority for the safety of the children,” Thom Allen said.

GCA has already received money from as far as Washington, Texas, North Carolina and California.

Although the Allen family and their students have gained some breathing room, they still need help from their community to make it past this school year. To make a donation, go to SaveOurGrace.com, or mail contributions to 1705 Access Road, Covington, GA 30014.