Daleville Chamber gives thanks to community for fundraiser support

On the last, cold day of the Daleville Family Fun Fest, the mayor, the police chief and an investigator of the City of Daleville landed in jail as part of a fundraiser for the Daleville Area Chamber of Commerce.

During the beginning of the fundraiser, which lasted about three weeks and ended on Monday, March 11, the chamber asked citizens to donate a dollar to ensure that either Mayor Jayme Stayton, Police Chief William “Willy” Powell or School Resource Officer Allen Medley would land in “jail” during the festival.

According to the chamber’s Executive Director Kecia Ham, every dollar donated counted as a vote to place one of the men in jail. Powell received 90 votes, Medley had 75 votes and Stayton had 36 votes. By the end of the fundraiser, all three individuals landed in jail for an hour, thanks to a donation from local business Tinkertown USA, she said.

On Saturday, March 16, Investigator Thomas Mason took Medley’s place, and festival-goers were asked to help the group raise enough money to cover their “bail,” which was based on how much money was raised before the festival.

While in jail, local business owner Jeff Ham of Hambone’s Lawn Care, with assistance from A&C Tax Service, attempted to break the group out. He was caught and placed in jail as well as another individual raising bail money for the chamber.

Overall, the chamber raised $413 through the fundraising event, and Kecia Ham thanked everyone for the support and participation in the event.

“There is no way to show how much we appreciate the help and support from Mayor Stayton, Chief Powell and (SRO) Allen Medley for offering their time for us, Investigator Mason for stepping in last minute to help us out and Jeff Ham for donating materials and time to help raise money for the chamber,” she said. “Last, but not least, (I give) a big thank you to the citizens of Daleville for donating. It is a blessing to have so much support from everyone, and with that support, we are proud to bring more events to Daleville.”