The Villages Parrot Head Club hosted a fundraiser at Cody’s in Brownwood Tuesday afternoon to support Wildwood Middle High School.
Around 200 people showed up at the event, according to Cody’s Regional Manager Dean Turner.
Collection boxes full of donated school supplies were located at the entrance, while members went around collecting 50/50 raffle tickets which generated funds for the school as well.
Villages Ear, Inc. owner Kirk Malone donated two Disney Florida resident seasonal passes to all four parks, which were being raffled off. Profits from the raffle tickets also went to the school.
Wristbands to enter the fundraising event were $5 each, generating a lot of money through the high attendance to support Wildwood Middle High School.
“We’ve always supported elementary schools in the past,” said Parrot Head member Renie Larson, who helps oversee the club’s program HelpUsHelpKids together with Marsha Herring. The two members have met with Wildwood Middle High School Principal Richard Hampton, who inspired them to reach out to the school and its students this month.
“We feel fortunate and we want to give back,” said Herring.
Larson said that the club was “like The Villages” in that members showed a generous response to the cause and were willing to donate in any way to support the school.
Principal Hampton said that the fundraiser was a huge event and was the first time the school partnered with the Parrot Heads. He said that money raised would provide supplies for teachers and rewards for students.
Money will also help enhance technology in the school and students in financial need.
Hampton said that “without this kind of support” teachers would still be taking money out of pocket to provide supplies for the school, but now the partnership with the Parrot Heads provides a “dual support system” for teachers and students.
“We do more than we’re obligated to,” said Parrot Heads Media Trustee Bob O’Neal. “These kids are our future.”
Around 5:30 p.m., the club totaled the amount of money generated from the fundraiser. Principal Hampton was presented with a check worth $4,600 by the club.
