THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603130117
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The community has stepped up to bat.
Thanks to an outpouring of generosity from local businesses and citizens, the Southside Athletic Association - Cypress is getting closer to saving its ballpark, Fermer Perry Memorial.
Southside members asked the community to help them save the field at the intersection of Airport Road and Route 13/32. The Association needs $25,000 to save it, but already neighbors are helping neighbors.
Last week, Southern Food Stores pledged that once Southside raises $12,500, the company will match it. Southern Food Stores President David L. Holland said it was just the right thing to do.
``The $25,000 goal seemed to be hard for them if no one else came up to bat,'' said Holland.``These kids are really important to our community.''
With the Southern Foods pledge, the ball club is about $5,000 away from saving the field. A sold-out dance at the Suffolk Shrine Club last Saturday brought in $3,000. The local band Cactus Rose agreed to perform to help the ball club.
A ``Cypress Night'' event at Shuckers Restaurant also raked in about $1,100. The restaurant owners agreed to donate a percentage of the door charge to the club.
Clarence Babb, president of the Association, said the club is thankful for the support.
``It's great,'' said Babb. ``It was slow at first, but people are really starting to respond. It means a lot.''
The ball club is still taking recyclable cans and aluminum every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field. Donations also can be made at Commerce Bank at 1525 North Main Street. For more information, contact Clarence Babb at 934-3281. ILLUSTRATION: David L. Holland, president of Southern Food Stores, says his
company will match the funds if $12,500 is raised to buy Fermer
Perry Memorial ball field.
by CNB