Barbara Gray, Calera Athletic Association president, is pleased with fundraising results for the past two years.

“Considering the economy, we’ve raised over $82,000. The program is only two years old and is off to a great start,” Gray said.

The annual dinner and auction held January 30 this year was a huge success.

Diners enjoyed a delicious meal and had an opportunity to bid on donated items for auction.

“We had some really great items donated this year. Everyone was extremely generous with their donations,” Gray said.

It was a beautiful day for CAA’s annual golf tournament at Timberline Golf Club on April 19.

Six teams, in a four-man scramble format, teed off at 1:30 pm competing for first- and second-place prizes, as well as closest to the pin on holes seven and 13.

Team players Bill Abell, Carl Johnson, Chris McCrackin and Chris Coons took the gross.

CAA awarded each player a $50 Timberline gift card.

Net winners Dale Eubanks, Bill Davis, Dan Gilliland and David Gulledge received a $30 Timberline gift card.

Bill Davis, closest to the pin on hole seven, received a gift certificate from Southern Gold.

A free round of golf went to Bill Abell for the 13th hole.

Gray reports 21 hole sponsors contributed generously to the tournament.

“I want to say thank you to all our sponsors and to Scott and Wendy Reneau of Subway for providing lunch for the golfers and also to Golden Flake for providing chips. We expect participation to increase for this event every year,” Gray said.

Last summer, Gray worked with JRag to build a website for CAA.

Merchandise is available at all home football games, but those not attending can order online throughout the year at Caleraeagles.com.

CAA would also like to sell merchandise through a school store.

“Calera Athletic Association’s goal is to increase revenue for the athletic program in order to decrease the cost to players.

Most schools require athletes to pay huge fees to play a sport.

At Calera, our athletes are only required to sell five Discount Club cards and bring in one item for the auction.

With these two requirements alone, we raised over $25,000.

Money raised subsidizes each sport’s budgetary needs,” Gray said.

The community plays a huge role in CAA’s fundraising.

On behalf of the association, Gray thanked everyone who has sponsored Calera High School’s athletic program.

Mollie Brown can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.