Hurricane Party to blow in dollars for school needs

Members of the Hurricane Party's planning committee gather at the Elks Lodge. From left are Diane Clement, Ashlie Henderson, Chris Treadwell, Kim Garland, Patti Mason, Cindy Newman, Crystal Newman, Chasta Devine, Holley Blalock, Chrissy Fletcher, Jennifer Fletcher, Angela Shannon and Jamie Hollingsworth. (Contributed photo)
Members of the Hurricane Party's planning committee gather at the Elks Lodge. From left are Diane Clement, Ashlie Henderson, Chris Treadwell, Kim Garland, Patti Mason, Cindy Newman, Crystal Newman, Chasta Devine, Holley Blalock, Chrissy Fletcher, Jennifer Fletcher, Angela Shannon and Jamie Hollingsworth. (Contributed photo)

This weekend, East Hamilton Middle/High School will once again hold its biggest fundraiser of the year.

On Saturday, March 24, the East Hamilton CaneRaisers will host their ninth annual Hurricane Party to address needs in both the middle and high school.

Each year, the adult-only dinner, dance and auction brings in about $20,000 for the school, said Ashlie Henderson, vice president of the fundraising organization composed of parents, administrators, teachers and community members.

Proceeds from the event have been used for sports uniforms, field improvements, concession stand equipment and storage facilities, she added.

While last year's Hurricane Party drew about 225 attendees, Henderson hopes to bump that number up to 300 this year to help fund some of the items the school needs most - such as a storage shed for the drama department and more mobile computing stations. With work to round out the school's incomplete athletic facilities still underway, the wish list also includes concession stands to complete the school's baseball and softball fields, as well as more stadium seating at the football and soccer fields.

"We want to reach out to the community because we want greater participation from the community in that school," Henderson said. "I encourage everyone to take an interest in our elementary schools, and especially East Hamilton, because those are our future leaders, our future workers right here in this city. The more that we get behind our school system and our kids, the better we'll be at the end."

The festivities will be held at the Elks Lodge at 1067 Graysville Road from 7-11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/HurricaneParty2018.

Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.

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