On February 2, 2012, our community came together for Alabama Gives Day, for 24 hours of unprecedented nonprofit giving and awareness building.

The Demopolis City Schools Foundation raised $945.00 in donations and pledges that day, gained three new members, and increased our Facebook traffic and friend total significantly. 

Statewide $742,985 was raised to support the work of nonprofits around the state.  THANK YOU to all of our supporters!

Amanda Barnes joined the Demopolis City Schools Foundation as our new executive director on January 1, 2012, following the retirement of Jan McDonald.  With a chemical engineering degree and an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama, Amanda brings a unique perspective to her role at the Foundation.

Her experience in the for-profit business sector with Mercedes Benz and The HEIL Company gave Amanda a sharp eye for operational efficiency, and she wields it with good humor in the ongoing pursuit of excellence.  During her tenures with the Black Belt Community Foundation and the Dini Partners, a national management and fundraising consulting firm based in Texas, Amanda has worked with over 30 nonprofit organizations.

She is the wife of The Rev. John David Barnes, and mother of two boys, Samuel (5) and Joseph (10) – both enrolled in the Demopolis City School System.

With a change of location and time, the Demopolis City Schools Foundation thanked its investors at its 16th annual Appreciation Celebration August 8.

This year the event was held after business hours at the Coplin Building, a change from the Demopolis Civic Center, and offered a more casual atmosphere for Foundation members to enjoy each other's company instead of the luncheon provided in past years.

The event encouraged members to continue "answering the call" to support the work of the Foundation.  John Northcutt, Foundation president, presented awards to major donors (see Members link) and special recognition went to the 2011 Hugh A. Lloyd Excellence in Education Award winner, Lori Giles. The librarian at Westside Elementary, Giles received the $1,000 award named for the late cofounder and charter president of the Foundation. 

Blue skies greeted Hay Dayz on September 10, 2011, a complete change from the event in August of 2010.  With a new venue at the River City Landing and George Franks Field, the Demopolis City Schools Foundation and the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce offered something for everyone.

Contests, entertainment, local vendors offering hand crafted items, inflatables, pony rides, food and a kids' talent show greeted festival-goers. Congratulations to Sydney Hill, who took first place in the talent show, and to Camilla Tutt, who came in second, and third place winner Mikaila Eicher.

TADA gymnastics started the day with energetic displays of tumbling and cheering.  Ross Tae Kwon Do demonstrated several variations of martial arts -- and yes, boards were broken.  Laura Clements and her vocal students rounded out the entertainment for the day.

No decision has been made whether Hay Dayz will be held in 2012, but those who came out enjoyed the day and all the events.

In 2007 the Demopolis City Schools Foundation dedicated Tiger Court, a courtyard at Demopolis High School featuring engraved pavers.  Then, the next year, the high school underwent an expansion that cut into Tiger Court and halted the laying of any newly ordered pavers.

Thanks to the efforts of DHS, the Demopolis City Schools System and Charles Jones Jr. and his industrial arts class, the courtyard is being updated using new plans provided by architect Brian Brooker.

It didn’t break records, but Schoolfest 2011 provided a well-needed financial shot in the arm for the Demopolis City Schools Foundation.

All four campuses took part in age-appropriate events for their students.  Rides, games, face-painting, dunking booth, skits, snacks and everything in between had students in grades Pre-K through 8 enjoying Schoolfest on May 6.  For its part, Demopolis High School sponsored the annual Powder Puff Football Game

Each school vied for the rotating Schoolfest trophy.  U.S. Jones Elementary has held it for the past two years.  This year’s winner will be announced at the Teacher Institute on August 4.

One of the most popular events held each year to raise money for the Demopolis City Schools Foundation is the Pancake and Sausage Dinner at Jack’s Family Restaurant held each April.

This year was no different, but a new twist was added to the dinner.

Ten athletes from Demopolis High School took part in a pancake-eating contest.  Covered in a specially made apron, each was given a plate of 10 pancakes smothered in syrup.  Without using any utensils or their hands, the contestants had five minutes to eat as many as possible.

It took Neilson Renner less than that to polish off his pancakes.  Congratulations, Neilson!