Thanks to the generosity of Fayette’s business community and individual donors, the Fayette County School System’s transportation department raised $2,000, the most in the cookout’s four-year history, to benefit the county’s military personnel stationed in Iraq.

The department held its fourth annual cookout and raffle in March to collect funds for the purchase of PX cards to be used by the soldiers to buy needed items. The cards, along with notes of support, will be mailed to the troops late April or early May. Fayette residents who have a friend or loved one serving in Iraq can request to have a card sent to their solider by mailing his or her name and address by April 15 to: Troops, 210 Stonewall Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

Raffling prizes donated by local business and individuals raised proceeds to purchase the PX cards. Some of the businesses participating in this year’s effort were Shepard Lighting, J & J Grading, Ace Hardware, Stevie B’s, Dairy Queen, Senoia Coffee, Prestige Unlimited, Coffee N Cones, Bucks Pizza, Chicago Eatery, Casa Vija, South Beach Tan, Brent Scarbough, Atlanta Cap Company, Fayette Collectibles, Herb Shop, Andy’s Nursery, Wal-Mart, Classic Landscapes, Cookie Express, Mike & C’s, Publix, Cookie Time and Merle Norman.

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity and help we received from each and every business establishment we contacted for donations for our heroes. The power of pride came forward on the great day,” says cookout organizer Linda Mosley.

Art students at Fayette Middle designed posters to help promote the cookout. The transportation department judged them and awarded first place to Casey Mills who will receive two movie passes. Second place went to Matt Harden.

In addition to food and fun, cookout attendees heard from two guest speakers who talked about the impact the fundraiser has had on the troops in Iraq. Lt. Col. Frank Eubanks, husband of bus driver Debbie Eubanks, helped the transportation department send a fully decorated Christmas tree and chocolate to the troops in 2004. He told the bus drivers that their efforts meant a lot to the soldiers and helped to make their holidays a little brighter.

Also attending the cookout was Sandra McPhaie, the wife of a soldier stationed in Iraq with Georgia’s 48th Brigade. She spoke about how much the troops need support from home to boost their morale and how important it is for their families to know that their loved ones have their country’s support.

login to post comments