School's fundraiser a 'rousing success'
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 11, 2005 2:05 AM
A barbecue plate sale to benefit survivors of Hurricane Katrina was a rousing success, organizers said Friday.
Donna Hopewell, career development coordinator at Eastern Wayne High School, said the fundraiser had to be expanded because of response from the community.
Two students, 11th-graders Betty Rouse and Shelley Sherman, had individually approached Eastern Wayne Principal Gene Byrd soon after the hurricane struck and asked what could be done to help with relief efforts. Ms. Hopewell brainstormed with the girls and Byrd suggested the barbecue sale as a quick and easy way to raise money.
Wilber's Barbecue was contacted and agreed to provide food. The school's Key Club, athletic department, ROTC and Parent Support Group also became involved and agreed to help sell 400 tickets for Friday's event.
Public interest was tremendous, Ms. Hopewell said.
"The response has been extraordinary," she said. "People were so enthusiastic when they called."
Some requested multiple tickets to the advance sale, she said. One caller ordered 30 plates, another group ordered 115, she said.
In fact, the event's popularity grew so rapidly that they expanded the number of tickets from 400 to 600.
"We could have probably sold even more than that," she said. "We were sold out by 9:30 Thursday morning."
Ms. Hopewell said once all the proceeds are tallied, the school plans to present the donation to the American Red Cross.