From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Schools Foundation announced $12,000 was raised during Casino Night on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The event was held at Ferus Artisan Ales.
Leslie Armstrong, with the foundation, said the fundraiser was made possible thanks to the many sponsors of the event and participants who purchased tickets.
“Trussville City Schools Foundation would like to say thank you to our sponsors for their continued support to the Foundation as well as each ticket buyer,” said Armstrong. “We understand there are many non-profit groups that you could contribute to and we are extremely grateful that you have chosen us.”
The amount total was a 45% increase from the 2020 fundraiser, making the second annual event a huge success.
“Our delicious food was prepared and presented by Hewitt Trussville High School Culinary Academy,” Armstrong added. “We had grand prizes and door prizes donated to us by many in the Trussville community. Thank you to Hewitt Trussville Athletic Foundation for 2 season football tickets, Stephanie Benzaia for a Signature Photo Session, Ace Hardware in Trussville for a Weber Grill, Goodfellas Gaming for a private poker night and to Ross Bridge Resort and Spa for a two-night stay with breakfast.”
Players used fake money to play games. The blackjack and poker table sponsors were Lee Marlow; Realtor, DHI Mortgage; David Markle, Hitchcock and Maddox Financial Solutions, The Morrette Law Firm, Dennis L. Rushing, P.C. Attorney at Law, Meals by Misty, and Emergency Pet Care
Door prizes came from Trussville Chamber and Trussville Gas and Water, Nona-Ruth’s, Wrapsody Trussville, M.P. Dawson Mercantile, Sunnie Leigh Designs, Wildgoose Garden, Trussville City Schools, Carroll Pharmacy, Tula J, Three Earred Rabbit, Decor by Jolene, Taco Mama, Great Harvest Bread Company, Half Shell Oyster House, Moda Boutique, Amari Curb Market, Adair Auto, A+ Auto, Lee Lesley Law Firm, and Sean McQuin with State Farm.
Whistlestop Garden Shop designed and set up extravagant floral displays for the event. Armstrong said the arrangements turned Ferus into a “casino paradise.”
Lee Marlow was also a platinum sponsor of the arrangements.
The Trussville City Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money to support Trussville’s three elementary schools, the middle school, and the high school through three annual events, corporate sponsorships, and community donations. Funds raised cover supplies and programs beyond the minimum requirements set by the state-requested by our parents and educators to support the development of our students and schools. In the past, these funds have been used to purchase computers and iPad, Elmo projectors, library books, Braille books, special needs-accessible playground equipment, sensory room, professional development programs for the faculty, instruments for band and music classes, foreign language class supplies, an environmental education center, exercise equipment for PE classes, robotics equipment, Nova science probes, supplies to aid in the schools’ COVID response, and more.
Title sponsors for the event were Lathan Architects and 4Africa.
The following were also sponsors:
Venue sponsor – Sargent McDonald Team
Bar sponsor – Petra Risk Management Services
Slots sponsor – Capps Painting
Craps table sponsors – Amari & Gray and CCI Planning and Engineering
Roulette Table Sponsor – Nelms Pharmacy
Food sponsor – Trussville City Schools Band Foundation
“The TCS Foundation helps all of our students and teachers in wonderful ways,” said Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill. “The teachers are able to write grants to make their creative classroom dreams come true! Teachers receive grant money from the foundation for materials and equipment that complement the curriculum in exciting and unique ways such as enhancing technology, and enriching the libraries. Of course, the students are the beneficiaries of the creativity of the teachers and the opportunity for the TCS Foundation grants. Not all school systems have a foundation, and I feel that we are blessed beyond measure to have this active, caring, passionate foundation working with us to take our school system to the next level of excellence.”
