The Spirit of Community

On orientation weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the “Ride the Wave…Catch the Darlington Spirit” raffle, dinner and auction. This was our third annual reverse raffle fundraiser but the first time all of our parent organizations had come together for a joint one-school fundraiser. As I walked around the room, greeting returning families and meeting new families from across the country and around the world, I was simply blown away by the spirit that evening – the spirit of community.

The purpose of this event was really two-fold: to raise money for all of our parent organizations (Tiger PRIDE PK-12, Fine Arts Booster Club and Athletic Booster Club) and to provide a fun opportunity for PK-12 parents to come together as a community. There is strength in numbers and nowhere was that more evident than in the Huffman Athletic Center as 450 parents and friends gathered together to share a great evening of food, fellowship, great entertainment and some friendly bidding.

To the many parents, alumni and local businesses who generously donated items to the live and silent auction, we are so appreciative of your willingness to partner with us. Without you, we wouldn’t have had an event. To Applebees, Honeymoon Bakery, Anheuser-Busch, and Broad and Third, everyone enjoyed the excellent food and great entertainment. To the parents and friends who were in attendance, we are sincerely grateful for your support. (If you were unable to come this year, I hope you will make plans to attend in 2013!) And last, but certainly not least, to all the parents and committee chairpersons who made this event happen, a very special thank you for giving up so much of your summer and pulling this together in less than three months. Our parents never cease to amaze me and I can’t wait to see what they put together next year!