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Amber Price, teacher at LeCroy Career Technical Center, funded the school’s Cosmetology Runway Project with their HOBO grant. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

Thorsby High School’s Rachael Fine purchased math enhancing tools for her classroom with the grant she received from HOBO. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

HOBO’s Marie Butts presents Haley Davis and Macey Gentry, teachers at Jemison Elementary School, with their grant checks. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

Clanton Intermediate School’s Denise Wright purchased a gaga ball pit for her classroom by way of a HOBO grant. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

Sarah Coburn was able to purchase chick and ducklings to hatch for a demonstration to her class with her HOBO grant. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

Sheila Speaks replaced the swing seats at the playground at Verbena High School with her HOBO grant. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

HOBO provided a grant to Beth Ann Pope at Verbena High School that she used for Edison Robots for her classroom. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

Kelly Rozelle at Clanton Middle School purchased a science library with the HOBO grant she received to benefit her students. (PEGGY BULLARD | CONTRIBUTED)

By Peggy Bullard | Community Columnist

The Lake Mitchell Home Owners Boat Owners (HOBO) Association held their annual Poker Run in June and it was a huge success. There were over 100 volunteers and 456 participants. The participants helped HOBO raise more than $12,000 this year, and the funds are raised to support education in Chilton and Coosa Counties. HOBO’s Marie Butts went to all of the schools to present the teachers with their checks.

In May 2024, a $4,000 scholarship was awarded to Sidney Thornton. She is a graduate of Central High School of Coosa County and is attending the University of South Alabama in Mobile majoring in Radiation Therapy.

In October 2024, over $6,000 was awarded in grant monies to teachers in Chilton and Coosa counties. These grants will benefit over 2,500 students during the 2024-2025 school year with on-going benefits for many years to come.

The recipients of grants included two teachers at Thorsby High School — Rachael Fine and Bridget Canton, who purchased enhancing math tools and a 3-D printer for their classrooms, respectively.

At Clanton Intermediate School, Aimee Dobbs purchased library book series’, Sarah Coburn purchased chicks and ducklings for hatching demonstrations and Denise Wright got a gaga ball pit for their classrooms.

Jemison Elementary School teachers Macey Gentry and Haley Davis were awarded grants that purchased a Toniebox Learning Center and sensory equipment for special education students.

Beth Ann Pope and Sheila Speaks at Verbena High School purchased Edison Robots and replacement seats for the swing set with their grants.

Clanton Middle School’s Kelly Rozelle made a purchase of a science library with her grant, and finally, Amber Price at LeCroy Career Technical Center funded the Cosmetology Runway Project with the school’s grant.

Two other grants were presented to schools in Coosa County as well — Jacques Mitchell, Alicia Thompson and Mary White of Central High School of Coosa County and Kelsie Garret and Hester Harby of the Coosa County Career Technical Center.

Thank you to all who participated, volunteered, donated or helped in any way. It could not be accomplished without you. With your help we will continue our endeavor to promote education in Chilton and Coosa counties.

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