By Bonnie Culverhouse
By 1 p.m. Friday, more than $9,000 had been collected to help the three victims of an explosion back in May.
Coordinator Ramanda Ketchum said she wanted to have this fundraiser for the victims. Chris Plants, Todd McCormick and Jimmy Hall came together with her as a team to set up the chicken meal fundraiser.
“We contacted Mel Smith first and set up the location,” Ketchum said.
They sold more than 700 advance tickets for $10 each and Friday – despite the extreme heat – collected even more from on-site ticket sales and donations.There was a steady stream of traffic through the parking lot at Smith Marine on Shreveport Road. Tables were set up inside with a group of volunteers packing styrofoam containers with chicken leg quarters, potato salad, beans and dessert.
Outside, tents had been erected with cases of bottled water.
“All proceeds will be divided among the burn victims of Aeropres – Reagan Hardaway, Daniel Payne and Chancey Hawk,” Ketchum said. “So without our sponsors’ support, this event would not have been possible.”
Title sponsor: Minden Mayor Terry Gardner.
Gold sponsors: Men of Courage, Melter CS, Inc. Mel Smith & Marines, Jimmy Hall, Bill & Ralphs, Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Dr. Ray Spurlock, Bruce Taylor for Patriot Land Development Svc, Childress Fishing & Rental Svc., Webster Parish Council On Aging and State Representative Dr. Wayne McMahen.
Silver sponsors: Attorney Kyle Robinson, John Thompson, Rodney Ketchum, Century Loans, Music Mountain Water, Minden Presbyterian Church, Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining, Webster Parish Assessor Denise Edwards and Home Federal Bank.
Bronze sponsors: Tim Morris, Tom’s Service Center, R.O. Machen, Co-workers of Aeropres, Subway, Eugenia Bridges and Webster Parish Journal.
