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  • Volunteer Teresa Daniel sorts through silent auction items Thursday night at the sunset picnic on the turf fundraiser at Cullman High School.

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August 28, 2010

CHS fundraiser deemed a success

By Trent Moore CNHI

CULLMAN — Nearly 400 people attended the sunset picnic on the turf Thursday night at Cullman High School, not just to raise money for the ongoing renovations to Oliver Woodard Stadium — but also to check out the work that has already been done.

Attendees spread out blankets and lawn chairs on the recently completed artificial turf football field, listened to live music and enjoyed a catered meal from Designs By Grace.

“It was a magical, fun night due to the realization of what we collectively are able to provide for our deserving students in he extracurricular area,” Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris said. ”My only regret is that our beloved Coach Oliver Woodard was not able to see the completed project before he passed away.”

The $100 per couple cover price and donations — which raised about $24,490 — went toward the bill to pay for the $2 million renovation project.

Improvements include the installation of new artificial turf on the field, a new eight-lane rubberized track, a re-design of the stadium’s inadequate drainage system, changes to the visitor’s side bleachers and new stadium lighting. Cullman-based Civicon Contractors is handling the project, and everything except the track is essentially complete.

Approximately $9,700 was raised from a silent and live auction at the event, filled with items donated by local businesses and community members. High ticket items included a handmade Cullman Bearcats quilt, a one-year membership at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center, and a University of Alabama basket.

Harris said the overall night raised $45,445 — more than meeting the expectations of those who planned the event.

“What I was so excited about was that the community supported the school, the students and the event,” Pamela Cummings, with the Legacy Campaign Committee, said. “It exceeded all of our expectations. We had so many people showing up at the gate, we initially ran out of food and had to order more.”

Harris said all of the volunteers involved with organizing the event made it such a success.

“On behalf of our students, I want to thank everyone who participated in our fundraising event on August 27, 2010 at Oliver Woodard Stadium,” she said. “I want to thank [organizer] Pamela Cummings, her committee chairs Missy Blaylock, Suzanne Harbin, Kathy Skinner and Malinda Windham, and the legacy committee members for their dedication to the youth of our community.”

School officials hope to generate enough money through donations to fund the stadium renovation project, and around $700,000 has already been raised. The school board asked the Cullman city council to assist them in receiving a bond to pay for the work in the interim. The bond will be paid back entirely by the school system, with no cost to the city.

Harris said the school system had originally planned to use a federal bond to build the stadium, until the government changed the specifications concerning what type of projects could be funded by those bonds.



‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

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