Chilton County High School’s Save-A-Seat Campaign has recently received two large donations.

The CCHS Class of 1957 donated $10,500 to the campaign on Thursday.

Additionally, Co-Owner of Associated Foods Phillip Davis donated $5,000 to the cause on July 22.

In doing this, the Class of 1957 challenges other CCHS classes to donate to the cause, as Davis encourages other businesses to do the same.

The Save-A-Seat campaign was founded earlier this year in order to raise money for the refurbishing of the Chilton County auditorium seats.

The estimated cost for the project is $157,000 and CCHS principal Cynthia Stewart said the campaign committee hopes to have the money raised by the end of 2015, in time for the school’s centennial celebration.

“We wanted to do this as a class,” 1957 class member and retired President of Alabama Power Elmer Harris said. “If anyone doubts that it needs to be renovated, they should come look at the auditorium. It plays a significant part in the community of Chilton County.”

Not only did Harris present the check to Cynthia Stewart on behalf of the class, but he and his classmates also pledged another $10,000 for the remainder of the funds needed.

“We’re hoping to have more class members donate money. We are reaching out to them,” Harris said. “We committed an extra $10,000 for an incentive plan. We hope that Principal Stewart can get other classes to donate, knowing that we will match the amount of money.”

Class members in attendance included Harris, State Rep. Jimmy Martin (R-Clanton), Donny Martin, Dorothy Hill Williams, Bobby “Little John,” Tootsie Scott, Troy Cleckler, Peggy Wyatt, Johnny Mims and Alvin Teel.

All donors of the campaign will receive a plaque with their names on it, to be displayed in the auditorium lobby.

Wyatt shared that the class had lost 23 classmates since graduating, and the class wants to honor them by including their names on the plaque as well.

CCHS Principal Cynthia Stewart shared her gratitude with the class upon receiving the donation.

“When my daughter first went to school here, I was in awe in the amount of spirit and comradery at the first pep rally I attended,” Stewart said. “This school has a lot of heritage.”

Stewart began working for the school 18 years ago as an English teacher, and has been the principal for four years.

The school, in name, will be 100 years old in 2016.

In 1962, the school was relocated from a previous location.

Since the auditorium was built in 1962, the seats have remained untouched in terms of repairs or remodeling.

“If we can get every class to donate, or even individuals who’ve graduated here, it would be easy to reach our goal,” Stewart said.

In addition to school-related functions, the auditorium is also the site of many community events, such as pageants, political arenas, club meetings and several other happenings for groups throughout the county.

Jimmy Martin said the class of 1957 was special because of their bond, and how they still manage to get together 58 years after graduating.

“We had a class song: ‘Class of ’57 had a dream’,” Martin said. “Back then, we were just dreaming of surviving. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long ago.”

Martin shared that class member Tootsie Scott still sings the class song at reunions, and the members have remained close, despite the time that has passed.

“You can tell the class has stuck together,” Harris said. “The other classes should contribute, too. We went to school here, and we should give back any way we can.”

Likewise, Davis of Associated Foods said he believed the community has benefited tremendously from the use of the auditorium over the years.

“Our store in Clanton has employed many Chilton County High School students over the years,” Davis said. “The schools and businesses here work together in a way. It just seems right to give back.”

Davis owns five Associated Food stores in Clanton and surrounding counties, alongside his brother.

“When a school reaches out to the community asking for help, we really need to step up,” Davis said.

So far, the campaign has accumulated about half its goal amount, and Stewart is optimistic that the money will be raised in time for the school’s centennial celebration.

While the celebration itself is still in its beginning stages, the refurbishing of the auditorium remains the committee’s first priority.

The cost to refurbish one seat is $150, and while the committee asks that each person sponsor one seat, more or less is accepted and appreciated.

To make a contribution to the Save-A-Seat Campaign, donors may send checks, made payable to Chilton County High School, to the school, located at 1214 7th Street South in Clanton.

Donors may also take donations to the school, or pay via PayPal on the school’s website: chiltoncountyhigh.al.cch.schoolinsites.com.