RINGGOLD, Ga. - When Robert Akins was approached six weeks ago about someone wanting to donate a large amount of money to the Ringgold High School Athletic Relief Fund, the school's athletic director and football coach was obviously receptive.
When Akins heard the amount was $100,000, he was taken aback.
"It honestly almost brought tears to my eyes that someone would do that for us," Akins said shortly after a Tuesday afternoon news conference to announce the huge donation. "I just wish there was some way I could thank them in person. It will help build a great foundation for our sports facilities."
All Akins knows about the source is that the donation came through the Community Foundation for a Greater Atlanta, an organization that supports 23 counties with about $75 million annually through individual and corporate giving. Though the organization is in Atlanta, Akins believes the donor or donors are local.
"I believe it is a local person or couple because this area is so giving," he said. "Since the tornado, everyone in the area has been so unselfish with their time and money."
Akins said the fund now stands at about $220,000. Recent donations also have been received from the Southeastern 7-on-7 Football Championships in Dalton and $16,000 from last month's Run for Ringgold. Money has not been added from the recent Josh Turner benefit concert and rodeo, and Akins believes after money is collected from a golf tournament and this weekend's alumni baseball game between Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, the total will grow a great deal.
"I really believe we'll be pushing $300,000 soon," he said. "It's just so exciting that all the efforts we have made to rebuild the athletic facilities and replace the equipment have paid off so well. It really says something about this area."