Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Cookout benefits troops Thanks to the generosity of Fayette’s business community, the Fayette County School System’s transportation department raised $700 to benefit the county’s military personnel stationed in Iraq. The department held its second cookout and raffle last month to collect funds for the purchase of care packages that will be delivered to the troops. Included in the packages will be international calling cards so that soldiers can stay in touch with loved ones back home. Numerous businesses donated items that were raffled to raise money to purchase items for the care packages including Cindy’s Southern Café, Dairy Queen, Ernest Market, Huddleston Floral, It’s Cookie Time, Just a Buck and Up, Melear’s Barbecue, Natures Nursery, Petro Flame, Plumyumi Day Spa, Wesley Stained Glass, Ace Hardware, Shift Works, Inc., Brent Enterprises, Chick-fil-A, Dr. Todd Cox, Dr. Michael Ward and Publix on Highway 74 in Peachtree City. The grand prize giveaway was a hand quilted American flag pillow donated by bus driver Susan Voyles. The lucky winner of the highly sought-after prize was Linda Eppstace. “I just want to give a special thanks to the great people who helped to make this possible. We couldn’t have done this without their support and donations. It is great to be an American,” said cookout organizer Linda Mosley. Fayette residents who have a loved one serving in Iraq can request to have a care package sent to their soldier by contacting the transportation department at 770-460-3520 by April 15.