Alumni and fans of Demopolis schools are being urged to continue the work of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation by becoming a member during the 2011 Annual Giving Campaign.

“Our children aren’t the only ones who benefit from the education they receive. Demopolis Schools have a tremendous impact on the entire city,” said John Northcutt, Foundation president.

“Through the Annual Giving Campaign supporters can show how much our schools mean to them and to the future of Demopolis.”

Organized in 1993 to benefit classroom education, the Foundation has funded more than $806,000 in programs, projects and equipment that the school system budget cannot pay for. The funds are awarded through annual grants to teachers.

The Foundation is encouraging supporters to “Bring the Focus Home, home to the community, to children and to the heart.”

The Foundation believes great schools come from great communities. The people who live and work in Demopolis know the good schools they provide today means a stronger community tomorrow.

Demopolis prepares for that future by offering schools with superior teachers. The Foundation promotes excellence by helping to provide those extras needed to influence the success of all students.

With a strong beat, Demopolis City Schools serve as the pulse of the city and are the most important part of many activities.

Annual contributions from its members make it possible for the Foundation to continue to foster and promote excellence in Demopolis public schools. Foundation funds are earmarked only for classroom education enhancement, not for textbooks or construction.

Far-seeing Foundation organizers set up a Grant Endowment Fund to ensure the continued funding of the grants. Interest on the Endowment is used to help pay for grants. The principal is never touched.

The late Hugh Lloyd, co-founder and charter president of the Foundation, established the “Hallelujah Goal” of $1 million for the Endowment. At the end of January, the Endowment stood at $620,000.

The Foundation also holds several fund-raisers during the year to help pay for its program. Each fall is the popular smoked turkey sale, and in the spring Jack’s Family Restaurant hosts the Pancake Dinner. This year it will be April 21.

Schoolfest on the first Friday of May is the biggest fund-raiser for the Foundation, and every penny raised is returned to the teachers in the form of grants.

Last August the Foundation joined with the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the first Hay Dayz. It will be held again Sept. 9-10. An ongoing source of income is the sale of pavers for Tiger Court, the courtyard at Demopolis High School.

For more information, call 289-2226 or visit the website, www.demopolis.org.