Editor:

Fairhope Elementary School today is basking in the glow of a remarkable evening that proved to us yet again just how much our community cares about our schools. For the hundreds of you that took part in our Family Night Auction Dinner — the school’s signature fundraiser — our tremendous thanks for your endorsement of Fairhope schools. A record turnout and overwhelming support of the silent auction produced a record total of $17,330!

There was indeed a time when we wondered if we should suspend this event for a year in consideration of the tough economic times that make it hard for businesses to donate and equally tough for families to contribute when belts are being squeezed at home.

You proved us wrong and turned out for a family focused celebration of the great things your children are achieving at FES. It is notable that as we sought donations for the auction, no business turned us down.

Special thanks are due to the supporters who “made it happen:” Chauffee’s Catering, Taste of New Orleans, the Fairhope Girls Service Club, Fairhope Civic Center, Post-Net, Jason Tickle, Cynthia and Richard Tellman, and the teachers and staff of FES — not to mention the fantastic committee of Lori Hutchinson, Suzanne Davis, Laura Gamard, Liz Thomas and our dedicated room moms.

We’re deeply indebted to the fantastic businesses that contributed with auction items, donations, or other support: Ace Hardware, Al’s 5 & 10, Allegri Farm Market, Am’rica Jones, Anytime Fitness, Baldwin Tennis, Barnes & Noble, Baumhower Wings, Bay City Borders, Bay Shores Market, Becky MacLean Photography, Billy Davis, Blue Gill Restaurant, Bounds Family YMCA, Brandon’s Restaurant, Bryant Bank, Camp Beckwith, Carol Saltz, Carrie French, Charles Phillips Antiques, Chauffee’s Catering, Cindy Thompson, Clear Choice Pest Control, Coastal Woodworks Inc., Corn Branch Sand & Clay, Creative Outlet, Curves, Cynthia & Richard Tellman, D’Artistes, Delatorre Day Spa, Deli Depot Food Mart, Diana Yeager, Dolphin View LLC, Donna Wegener, Dr. Daniel Deese, Dr. Jones & Coleman DDS, Dr. Wiggins, Eastern Shore Art Center, Eastern Shore Children’s Clinic, Edible Arrangements, Ed’s Seafood Shed, El Mexicano, Enterprise Rent a Car, Erin Langley, Express Oil Change, Fairhope Alpacas, Fairhope Girls Service, Fairhope Massage & Skin, Fairhope Municipal Pool, Fantasy Island Toys, First National Bank, Fish River Food Mart, Fly Creek Café, Four Bags, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Fred’s, Gamard Family, Go Play Pet service, Graceful Hands Massage, Greater Mobile Chrysler Jeep, Gulf Coast Office Products, Gulf Shores Rental, Gulfport Marriott Hotel, Gumbo Shack, HoneyBaked Ham, Hong Kong Buffett, Hot Wheels, Huntington Learning Center, Jake Simpkins LLC Landscaping, Jamie Hileman, ACE, Jason Tickle, Jennifer Norris, Jessica Yeager, JH Ranch, JJ McCool-Wildlife Solutions, John Estes Photography, Jubilee Music, Judy Humphrey, Julie P Designs K&K Custom Solutions, Kelly Long, Kim Ryland, Kravers, Kyle Johnson, Lake Forrest Golf & Country Club, LaPlace USA, Laura Hair Co., Longhorn Steak House, Los Tacos, Lowes, LuLu’s Homeport Maringa, M&F Casuals, Majestic Nails, Marble Slab Creamery, Margherita Roberts, Marriott’s Grand Hotel, Market by the Bay, Mary B. Chappell, Masland Carpets, Mateer’s, Monteigne Brown, Mosley’s Meat Market, Mr. & Mrs. Alex F. Lankford, Mr. Gene’s Beans, Nancy Raia, Nancye Jennings, Oak Hollow Farm, Objects, Panini Pete’s, Pat Stakes, Paul Pacey III, Pier One, Post Net, Punta Clara Kitchen, Quail Creek Golf Course, Rand Moberg, Rave Motion Pictures, Rick Phyfer - State Farm Agent, Ricky Trione, Rock Creek Golf Club, Ruby Tuesday, Saleeb Family, Scott & Lori Hutchinson, Shear Impressions, Sherry Lea Bloodworth, Short Stop Food Mart, Skin Perfection, South Paws, Southern Living at Home, Southern Waters Fairhope, Starbucks, Stix, Street’s Exquisite Plants & Gardens, Studio 354, Studio Illusions, Summit Salon - Tracy, Susan Dean, Tamara’s, Tammy Ulmer, Taste of New Orleans, Terry Thompson Chevrolet, The Beach Club, The Centre, The Centre for Yoga, The Colony Shop, The Fairhope Inn, The Home Depot, The Little Gym, The Lyons Share, The McCool Family, The Original Oyster house, The Pink Crocodile, The Polka Dot Princess, The Sanctuary Salon, The Truck Zone, Thomas Health & Fitness, Thomas hospital, Tin Top Restaurant, Tina Powers, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Tricia’s LLC, Uptown, US Space and Rocket Center, Walmart, Watercolors by Willoweise, Will & Pierce Agency, Winn-Dixie, Winston Groom, Wintzell’s Oyster House, WNSI, Wood Acres LLC and Wynn & Stewart Nobles.

What a resounding endorsement of all the good things we’re doing here in Fairhope public schools. What a fantastic community to call home!

With great thanks –

Family Night Auction Dinner Chairman & FES Principal