Jan McDonald / Contributed Report

Demopolis City Schools Foundation members celebrated a year of success as they gathered Thursday, July 21, for the 10th annual Appreciation Celebration.

The noon luncheon at the Demopolis Civic Center recognized all the 240 members who invested in the Foundation during the past fiscal year and gave special recognition to major donors.

The event provided the opportunity to review the events of the past year and give a preview of plans for the next as the Foundation unveiled its new biennial theme, “Showing the Way.”

Tables were centered with lighthouses, the collection of Pat Bishop. Display tables carried the theme with photos and drawings of lighthouses.

Woody Collins, a member of the Foundation’s Resource Development and Membership Committee, said the current Capital Campaign to benefit the Grant Endowment Fund swelled by some $50,000, with the Fund totaling more than $455,000 in investments and pledges at the end of the year. The campaign goal is to reach $1 million.

Collins said continued support of members and successful fund-raisers during the year will enable the Foundation to award $55,000 in September to education professionals in the Demopolis public school system.

The grants this fall bring the total amount awarded by the Foundation since its beginning to more than $535,000.

Thanks to two major grants, the Foundation is very close to beginning the construction of Tiger Court, a courtyard of engraved pavers to be located at the north side of the Demopolis High School gymnasium.

Schoolfest continued to be the Foundation’s biggest fund-raiser. The four Demopolis public schools raised more than $22,000, with every penny being returned as grants this fall.

New this year, to support the Foundation’s activities, were two hot cake and sausage dinners held in conjunction with McDonald’s of Demopolis. Orders for School Supply Bags for students at Westside are being filled now, and members were reminded of the popular Boston butt barbecue to be held November 19, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

John Northcutt, vice president of the Foundation, presented major donors with awards.

Executives receiving an engraved lamp for contributions of $5,000 or more were Travis Burnham for Foster Farms,

Robert Stamback with CEMEX Foundation, Allen Bishop for Robertson Banking Company and Louise Webb Reynolds for the John C. Webb, III and Marie Suttle Webb Foundation, Inc.

Executives not attending were Jim Rogers Jr., Wilbur Atkeison, Margie Whitfield Braswell, Friends of Education, and the Daniel Foundation of Alabama.

Those designated as Patrons for contributions of $1,000 to $4,999 received special plaques featuring artwork of U.S. Jones Elementary School student Jarvis Lawson. The young man was recognized with his own plaque and a $25 check.

Patrons recognized at the luncheon were Jim and Irma Parr with Parr’s Inc., Ronnie Snelgrove for Alabama Power Foundation, Olen Kerby for Bank Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Drew Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wilson, Woody Collins, Alex Roberson and Bobby Kidd of Kidd-Robbins Funeral Directors.

Not attending were Dr. and Mrs. Paul Ketcham, Gulf States Paper Corporation, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Coleman, John Cox Webb IV, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Bryan W. Compton Jr.

Certificates were awarded to Partners, those who contributed $500 to $999. Attending were Marengo Insurance Agency, Mrs. C.W. Horton, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Neilson, Ronald Roberts and Louise Webb Reynolds.

Unable to attend were Virginia Coker Abrams, Caldwell Real Estate, Mr. and Mrs. William Horton, Hudgens Insurance, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Traeger, The Demopolis Times, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rutledge.

Hugh A. Lloyd, president and co-founder of the DCSF, presided over the luncheon. Members were welcomed by Mayor Cecil Williamson, and the Rev. Leslie Spiller delivered the invocation. Janelle Baker provided the music for the event.