This past weekend, more than 400 people came from far and wide to participate in the second grand U.S. Jones Reunion.

Thursday afternoon, 32 generations of U.S. Jones students gathered at the Demopolis Civic Center for a fish frying night of memories.

Friday, former students gathered again for a mid-day brunch before convening again at the center for dinner.

On Saturday, the friends got dressed up for a banquet and dance before closing the weekend on Sunday with Sunday School and morning worship.

However in the midst of the fun, socializing and reminiscing, the Jones alumni found time to donate money to a good cause.

“We usually do a scholarship every year,” program committee chairman Burnquetta Johnson said. “But, this year we made the decision to help all the children in Demopolis, instead of just one.”

Thus, the group handed over a $1,000 check to Jan McDonald and Hugh Lloyd, leaders of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation.

“The money is a non-designated gift,” McDonald said, “so it will go into DCSF’s general operating account.”