2011 News & Events
Sontag receives $500 grant from Exxon Mobil
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Bojangles' Donates to Santa for Seniors
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Dairy Queen Donates to Santa for Seniors
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Battle of biscuit makers
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"That man's got some beautiful biscuits."
There are not many places you'd hear one man say that about another. But Thursday, that place was the hallway of Bojangles' corporate offices off Arrowood Road in Charlotte.
In Bojangles' World, this is Biscuit Week, when the winners of biscuit challenges at stores in 10 states come to Charlotte to show they've got the white stuff.
Out of 15,000 employees, 15 make it to the Master Biscuit Maker Challenge. Thursday's seven contestants were from North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
The Bojangles' head office rolls out the red carpet for them. Literally: A red carpet is rolled over the sidewalk before the competitors are ferried from their hotel in two Bojangles' Humvees with flashing lights and sirens.
Workers from all over the building crowd into the lobby to blow horns and spin noisemakers. Then they line the hall outside the test kitchen to watch through a window as each competitor steps up to the workbench to demonstrate mastery of Bojangles' biscuit procedure, called the Position Observation Checklist.
Everyone at Bojangles', from vice presidents to franchise owners, knows how to follow it. In the hallway as they watch, their voices are as reverent as weekend warriors at the Masters.
A wincing "ooooh!" comes from the crowd when a baker raps out four biscuits without dipping a cutter in flour: Regulations call for a dip every three raps. One woman draws a comment when she lifts biscuits without using her thumb: "She's got the old-school way," before the thumb prohibition was lifted.
Inside the test kitchen, judges wearing black-and-white striped referee shirts fill out an eight-page checklist, covering every moment from when 5 pounds of biscuit mix and a jug of buttermilk go into the bowl until the final pan of biscuits is pulled from the oven, checked against a color chart and delivered to a judge with the cry, "Hot Bojangles' Buttermilk Biscuits!"
There is a reason for the obsession with precision, says franchising vice president Tony Hopson.
Partly, it's consistency: How do you make every biscuit perfect when a store might make 800 to 1,200 a day? But the procedure has other advantages, including efficiency, speed and waste reduction.
After all, when the biscuit shift starts at 4 a.m., you really do need to know how to do it in your sleep.
So the checklist covers exactly how you touch your dough (six times, in a clock-face pattern), how you fluff your biscuit mix in the bowl (six to eight times, so you don't overwork it), and how pans go in the oven (top to bottom, so you always know which pan went in first).
Every station has two rolling pins, including one with metal discs by the handles to make sure the dough is exactly the right depth.
Biscuits are always placed on the pan in the same pattern: top left, bottom left, then working toward the middle until the last biscuit is tucked in as sweetly as a sleepy child.
Each competitor has to make 50 biscuits in less than 5 minutes. The winner gets $1,000, plus $200 or $300 more from their store. They all get black aprons and caps with the "Master Biscuit Maker" legend.
Thursday's winner: Lynnae Elkins, 20, of Moneta, Va., who was making her first trip to the finals. She made her 50 in less than 4 minutes, 30 seconds.
No one at the finals, from vice presidents to the bakers, would admit making biscuits at home, unless they're from a can you whack against a counter.
"In all honesty, it's a mess," said Charlotte employee Mark Oshefsky. "Biscuits are a mess."
There are not many places you'd hear one man say that about another. But Thursday, that place was the hallway of Bojangles' corporate offices off Arrowood Road in Charlotte.
In Bojangles' World, this is Biscuit Week, when the winners of biscuit challenges at stores in 10 states come to Charlotte to show they've got the white stuff.
Out of 15,000 employees, 15 make it to the Master Biscuit Maker Challenge. Thursday's seven contestants were from North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
The Bojangles' head office rolls out the red carpet for them. Literally: A red carpet is rolled over the sidewalk before the competitors are ferried from their hotel in two Bojangles' Humvees with flashing lights and sirens.
Workers from all over the building crowd into the lobby to blow horns and spin noisemakers. Then they line the hall outside the test kitchen to watch through a window as each competitor steps up to the workbench to demonstrate mastery of Bojangles' biscuit procedure, called the Position Observation Checklist.
Everyone at Bojangles', from vice presidents to franchise owners, knows how to follow it. In the hallway as they watch, their voices are as reverent as weekend warriors at the Masters.
A wincing "ooooh!" comes from the crowd when a baker raps out four biscuits without dipping a cutter in flour: Regulations call for a dip every three raps. One woman draws a comment when she lifts biscuits without using her thumb: "She's got the old-school way," before the thumb prohibition was lifted.
Inside the test kitchen, judges wearing black-and-white striped referee shirts fill out an eight-page checklist, covering every moment from when 5 pounds of biscuit mix and a jug of buttermilk go into the bowl until the final pan of biscuits is pulled from the oven, checked against a color chart and delivered to a judge with the cry, "Hot Bojangles' Buttermilk Biscuits!"
There is a reason for the obsession with precision, says franchising vice president Tony Hopson.
Partly, it's consistency: How do you make every biscuit perfect when a store might make 800 to 1,200 a day? But the procedure has other advantages, including efficiency, speed and waste reduction.
After all, when the biscuit shift starts at 4 a.m., you really do need to know how to do it in your sleep.
So the checklist covers exactly how you touch your dough (six times, in a clock-face pattern), how you fluff your biscuit mix in the bowl (six to eight times, so you don't overwork it), and how pans go in the oven (top to bottom, so you always know which pan went in first).
Every station has two rolling pins, including one with metal discs by the handles to make sure the dough is exactly the right depth.
Biscuits are always placed on the pan in the same pattern: top left, bottom left, then working toward the middle until the last biscuit is tucked in as sweetly as a sleepy child.
Each competitor has to make 50 biscuits in less than 5 minutes. The winner gets $1,000, plus $200 or $300 more from their store. They all get black aprons and caps with the "Master Biscuit Maker" legend.
Thursday's winner: Lynnae Elkins, 20, of Moneta, Va., who was making her first trip to the finals. She made her 50 in less than 4 minutes, 30 seconds.
No one at the finals, from vice presidents to the bakers, would admit making biscuits at home, unless they're from a can you whack against a counter.
"In all honesty, it's a mess," said Charlotte employee Mark Oshefsky. "Biscuits are a mess."
LakeWatch Bojangles' Lynnae Elkins Wins Bojangles' Master Biscuit Maker Competition
Posted: November 10, 2011
Congratulations to Lynnae Elkins winning the 2011 Franchise Master Biscuit Maker Competition in Charlotte NC. The biscuit roll off was held today at Bojangles' Support Center. Lynnae was one of 7 finalists that competed in the Bojangles’ Master Biscuit Maker Title for 2011. The order in which the contestants would compete was determined by luck of the draw. Lynnae drew 5th.
All contestants rolled out their batch in less than 5 minutes. Time only counts if you do not complete the roll out less than 5 minutes and in the case of a scoring tie time will be used to break the tie.
Lynnae got here by winning the Arrington Enterprises Master Biscuit Maker Contest, next winning the Area 7 Regional Master Biscuit Maker Contest and today competed in the Franchise 2011 Master Biscuit Maker contest.
I saw some mighty good biscuit makers today. Fastest I saw was 3 minutes 53 seconds, next fastest was 4minutes 8 seconds, another at 4 minutes 16.5 seconds, and Lynnae at 4 minutes 17 seconds. The last contestant to roll out for today was the reigning champion from last year. The first person was called to the biscuit table at 8:15 am. The last person finished about 12:30. The anxiety built and built with each competitor.
All competitors were impressive and when all had finished there was no clear winner. Points would decide it all.
A luncheon was held for us all in the training department and at the end each FBC would introduce the biscuit maker representing their region. All contestants were line up and given an envelope and all opened their envelope at the same time. Only one had a $1,000 check in it. All eyes were on the contestants as one big smile came from Lynnae. Her face said it all.
I am so proud of all store personnel who competed for Arrington Enterprises Master Biscuit Maker to Lynnae Elkins and Glenda Hall who represented Arrington Enterprises very well indeed. Again congratulations to Lynnae Elkins, 2011 Franchise Master Biscuit Maker Champion.
As I think back this year to the accomplishments of our 3 restaurants competing in the top 10 of Show Bo Competition, and Nancy Valentino bringing home 2nd place and $3,000, to Lynnae winning the Master Biscuit Maker competition and bringing home $1,000. AEI has had a pretty good year of accomplishments don’t you think? Don’t forget Pat Moran’s winning streak of 3-Show-Bo wins in 4 years either.
Thanks for all you do to protect and grow this brand.
Sincerely,
David Arrington
President, Arrington Management Group, LLC
All contestants rolled out their batch in less than 5 minutes. Time only counts if you do not complete the roll out less than 5 minutes and in the case of a scoring tie time will be used to break the tie.
Lynnae got here by winning the Arrington Enterprises Master Biscuit Maker Contest, next winning the Area 7 Regional Master Biscuit Maker Contest and today competed in the Franchise 2011 Master Biscuit Maker contest.
I saw some mighty good biscuit makers today. Fastest I saw was 3 minutes 53 seconds, next fastest was 4minutes 8 seconds, another at 4 minutes 16.5 seconds, and Lynnae at 4 minutes 17 seconds. The last contestant to roll out for today was the reigning champion from last year. The first person was called to the biscuit table at 8:15 am. The last person finished about 12:30. The anxiety built and built with each competitor.
All competitors were impressive and when all had finished there was no clear winner. Points would decide it all.
A luncheon was held for us all in the training department and at the end each FBC would introduce the biscuit maker representing their region. All contestants were line up and given an envelope and all opened their envelope at the same time. Only one had a $1,000 check in it. All eyes were on the contestants as one big smile came from Lynnae. Her face said it all.
I am so proud of all store personnel who competed for Arrington Enterprises Master Biscuit Maker to Lynnae Elkins and Glenda Hall who represented Arrington Enterprises very well indeed. Again congratulations to Lynnae Elkins, 2011 Franchise Master Biscuit Maker Champion.
As I think back this year to the accomplishments of our 3 restaurants competing in the top 10 of Show Bo Competition, and Nancy Valentino bringing home 2nd place and $3,000, to Lynnae winning the Master Biscuit Maker competition and bringing home $1,000. AEI has had a pretty good year of accomplishments don’t you think? Don’t forget Pat Moran’s winning streak of 3-Show-Bo wins in 4 years either.
Thanks for all you do to protect and grow this brand.
Sincerely,
David Arrington
President, Arrington Management Group, LLC
Now, onto the big dough
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Lynnae Elkins founght back tears last week as she watched a 10-minute timer count down. The 20-year-old Moneta resident had just placed three racks of biscuits in the oven at the Bojangles' in Rocky Mount during the franchise owners' Master Biscuit Maker Challenge and Elkins was sure she'd lost.
"I've done better," said Elkins, who works at the Westlake Bojangles', her voice shaking as she eyed the baking biscuits.
She was two short of a full batch of 45, something she would lose points for as the judges rated her biscuit making from the moment she began washing her hands to when she placed the finished prodcut under the heat lamps.
Elkins picked her best pan out three and sat, staring forlornly at nothing in particular, while two judges rated each of the 15 biscuits based on height, diameter, color and taste.
About 15 minutes later, however, Elkins cried out with joy when it was announced she'd won the regional competition, beating out three other contestants from Radford and North Carolina.
"I'm speechless," said Elkins. "I guess I can't underestimate myself."
Buddy Carlton, Bojangles' franchise area director and one of the day's judges, said he was impressed with Elkins' work, as well as that of the other competitors whose final scores were within a few points of each other.
"I've been in Bojangles' for 20 years and I've had a lot of biscuits," he said. "[Elkins] were good."
David Arrington, president of Arrington Enterprises, franchise owner of the Westlake and Rocky Mount Bojangles', said he was proud of Elkins, who will go on next month to compete in the national competition in Charlotte, N.C.
Bob Burgoyne, Bojangles' field training manager, said Elkins and her fellow biscuit-makers will get the red carpet treatment with all expenses paid from a room at a luxury hotel to dinner at a five-star restaurant.
"I've never done anything like this before," said Elkins, a Bedford County native and Staunton River High School graduate. "I think it could be a really cool adventure."
She'll be vying for the top prize of $1,000, which Elkins said she could use to get her own apartment, upgrade her car or get ahead on some bills. For winning the regional competition last week, Elkins took home $100 and braggin rights.
Arrington said Bojangles' hosts the annual competition because it takes biscuit-making very seriously. The biscuits are made from scratch and employees have to mix the batter just enough and roll the dough out to just the right height to create a consistent product. But it's not just about following recipe, said Arrington; you have to get a feel for it.
"If I had to do it today, my first batch would be terrible," he said. "My second batch would be a little better and my third batch would be a little better than my second."
Arrington said Elkins is a natural, having taken to biscuit-making quickly when she started working at the Westlake Bojangles' and 16 months ago. He said Elkins can roll out a batch in under five minutes, a feat employees strive for and a must-have shill for the national competition.
Elkins said she'll be practicing her technique in the weeks leading to the Nov. 10 showdown. While she admitted to being nervous, Elkins said she hopes to be more confident when she enters the national competition kitchen.
"I've done better," said Elkins, who works at the Westlake Bojangles', her voice shaking as she eyed the baking biscuits.
She was two short of a full batch of 45, something she would lose points for as the judges rated her biscuit making from the moment she began washing her hands to when she placed the finished prodcut under the heat lamps.
Elkins picked her best pan out three and sat, staring forlornly at nothing in particular, while two judges rated each of the 15 biscuits based on height, diameter, color and taste.
About 15 minutes later, however, Elkins cried out with joy when it was announced she'd won the regional competition, beating out three other contestants from Radford and North Carolina.
"I'm speechless," said Elkins. "I guess I can't underestimate myself."
Buddy Carlton, Bojangles' franchise area director and one of the day's judges, said he was impressed with Elkins' work, as well as that of the other competitors whose final scores were within a few points of each other.
"I've been in Bojangles' for 20 years and I've had a lot of biscuits," he said. "[Elkins] were good."
David Arrington, president of Arrington Enterprises, franchise owner of the Westlake and Rocky Mount Bojangles', said he was proud of Elkins, who will go on next month to compete in the national competition in Charlotte, N.C.
Bob Burgoyne, Bojangles' field training manager, said Elkins and her fellow biscuit-makers will get the red carpet treatment with all expenses paid from a room at a luxury hotel to dinner at a five-star restaurant.
"I've never done anything like this before," said Elkins, a Bedford County native and Staunton River High School graduate. "I think it could be a really cool adventure."
She'll be vying for the top prize of $1,000, which Elkins said she could use to get her own apartment, upgrade her car or get ahead on some bills. For winning the regional competition last week, Elkins took home $100 and braggin rights.
Arrington said Bojangles' hosts the annual competition because it takes biscuit-making very seriously. The biscuits are made from scratch and employees have to mix the batter just enough and roll the dough out to just the right height to create a consistent product. But it's not just about following recipe, said Arrington; you have to get a feel for it.
"If I had to do it today, my first batch would be terrible," he said. "My second batch would be a little better and my third batch would be a little better than my second."
Arrington said Elkins is a natural, having taken to biscuit-making quickly when she started working at the Westlake Bojangles' and 16 months ago. He said Elkins can roll out a batch in under five minutes, a feat employees strive for and a must-have shill for the national competition.
Elkins said she'll be practicing her technique in the weeks leading to the Nov. 10 showdown. While she admitted to being nervous, Elkins said she hopes to be more confident when she enters the national competition kitchen.
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The Civil War Visits the LakeWatch Bojangles
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Rocky Mount remembers fallen fire fighters
Posted: July 26, 2011
By Morgan Donnelly - WSLS.com
Flags were at half staff at the Rocky Mount police department. The sign at the fire department reminded people of the town's loss.
"Brings a community together but for the reasons that you don't want it brought together, those are two individuals the community will always miss,” says Rocky Mount Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins.
Assistant town manager Matt Hankins says the town is still coping with the loss of chief Possey Dillon and firefighter Danny Altice. On Tuesday night the town is having a memorial service. Hankins says last year people statewide came to mourn their deaths, this service is for the community.
"Gives the local folks a chance to share those remembrances of those fine individuals,” says Hankins.
The memorial service will not only remember Possey Dillon and Danny Altice. The town will dedicate a new fire truck and the lights for life project.
L.D. Arrington helped spearhead lights for life. It meant a lot to him to see the donations flood in. However he says July 26th means even more, not just to him but the community.
"Similar to what 9/11 was, you know the July the 26th will always be a special in our minds,” says Arrington.
As the town picks up the pieces, Hankins says people need to remember the life of service these two men lived. "Not just remember the loss but to remember there are lessons we can take away from it and apply to our lives everyday,” says Hankins.
While the lives of chief Possey Dillon and Danny Altice maybe lost, this community will not forget them.
"Brings a community together but for the reasons that you don't want it brought together, those are two individuals the community will always miss,” says Rocky Mount Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins.
Assistant town manager Matt Hankins says the town is still coping with the loss of chief Possey Dillon and firefighter Danny Altice. On Tuesday night the town is having a memorial service. Hankins says last year people statewide came to mourn their deaths, this service is for the community.
"Gives the local folks a chance to share those remembrances of those fine individuals,” says Hankins.
The memorial service will not only remember Possey Dillon and Danny Altice. The town will dedicate a new fire truck and the lights for life project.
L.D. Arrington helped spearhead lights for life. It meant a lot to him to see the donations flood in. However he says July 26th means even more, not just to him but the community.
"Similar to what 9/11 was, you know the July the 26th will always be a special in our minds,” says Arrington.
As the town picks up the pieces, Hankins says people need to remember the life of service these two men lived. "Not just remember the loss but to remember there are lessons we can take away from it and apply to our lives everyday,” says Hankins.
While the lives of chief Possey Dillon and Danny Altice maybe lost, this community will not forget them.
Show-Bo Finals
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Lights Total Nears $275,000
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L.D. Arrington, chairman of the Lights for Life memorial fundraiser, said he turned over more than $1,900 to the Town of Rocky Mount Wednesday, bringing the total donated to date to $274,677.09.
"I know of several hundred dollars that have not yet been turned in and have also heard several other fundraisers are planned," Arrington said.
"The fundraiser held in the memory of Rocky Mount firefighters Posey Dillon and Danny Altice surpassed a quarter of a million dollars at the end of last year," he added.
Of the money turned over to the town treasurer, more than $1,200 came from special donation boxes in Dairy Queen and Bojangles restaurants.
"Arrington Enterprises has officially ended its drive to collect money in our special boxes and have reverted our efforts to the Children's Miracle Network," Arrington said.
Another $600 was given Wednesday morning by the teachers and staff at Windy Gap Elementary School and the school's PTO organization.
Between Dec. 1 and the holiday break, teachers paid $1 to wear jeans to work on Fridays. That effort raised $300, which was matched by the PTO parents.
Principal Brenda Hopkins presented a $300 check on behalf of the teachers, while teacher Jacquie Locklear, co-president of the PTO, gave the other check to Arrington.
"Again, I would like to thank everyone who in any way contributed to the Lights for Life drive. From the pennies to the largest single individual contribution of $50,000, it was amazing how the people opened their hearts and pocketbooks in the short period of 20 weeks," Arrington said.
Guns & Hoses raises $2,779 for Lights
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Members of Franklin County High School's YOVASO Club (Youth of Virginia Speak Out) wanted to contribute to the Lights for Life memorial fundraiser when they returned to school in September.
The drive had started about a month before students went back to school.
According to Brian McClung, club sponsor and criminal justice instructor, it was the students who came up with the idea for a basketball game, featuring local law enforcement officers and firefighters.
So they borrowed the name "Guns and Hoses" and set the contest for Feb. 18 in the Samuel Hawkins Central Gym.
A lot of work went into preparing for the game. Larry McCarty and Deborah Russell, local restaurant operators, were lined up to coach the firemen.
Veteran radio announcer Glenn Lynch and Amy Pendleton, a morning radio personality, were picked to coach the police officers.
Special t-shirts were purchased for the participants, with the officers using their badge numbers and the firemen using their last names.
With assistance from Master Trooper Tim Harris, a club sponsor, team rosters were quickly filled with volunteers.
An estimated 500 spectators showed up to support their favorite team, said McClung.
The Guns team clearly had the height advantage and put it to work early in the game. The officers had doubled the score on the firefighters, 35-15.
Special entertainment was provided throughout the event, with children from the crowd shooting baskets against the officers.
Finally the announcers and scorekeeper jumped into the mix. Suddenly two-pointers scored by the firefighters appeared on the scoreboard as four points and occasionally even more.
Unofficially, the final score was shown as a whopping 104-98.
The club presented the proceeds ($2,779) to L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, Friday morning.
"We'll have have to do this again next year. We all enjoyed it, and we appreciate everyone turning out to support us," said Chelsea Hodges, club president.
"The students were the ones who made this work. And we got got tremendous support from the police, firemen and a lot of volunteers," McClung added.
With the club's contribution Friday, Arrington said the drive total now stands at $272,694.
The drive had started about a month before students went back to school.
According to Brian McClung, club sponsor and criminal justice instructor, it was the students who came up with the idea for a basketball game, featuring local law enforcement officers and firefighters.
So they borrowed the name "Guns and Hoses" and set the contest for Feb. 18 in the Samuel Hawkins Central Gym.
A lot of work went into preparing for the game. Larry McCarty and Deborah Russell, local restaurant operators, were lined up to coach the firemen.
Veteran radio announcer Glenn Lynch and Amy Pendleton, a morning radio personality, were picked to coach the police officers.
Special t-shirts were purchased for the participants, with the officers using their badge numbers and the firemen using their last names.
With assistance from Master Trooper Tim Harris, a club sponsor, team rosters were quickly filled with volunteers.
An estimated 500 spectators showed up to support their favorite team, said McClung.
The Guns team clearly had the height advantage and put it to work early in the game. The officers had doubled the score on the firefighters, 35-15.
Special entertainment was provided throughout the event, with children from the crowd shooting baskets against the officers.
Finally the announcers and scorekeeper jumped into the mix. Suddenly two-pointers scored by the firefighters appeared on the scoreboard as four points and occasionally even more.
Unofficially, the final score was shown as a whopping 104-98.
The club presented the proceeds ($2,779) to L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, Friday morning.
"We'll have have to do this again next year. We all enjoyed it, and we appreciate everyone turning out to support us," said Chelsea Hodges, club president.
"The students were the ones who made this work. And we got got tremendous support from the police, firemen and a lot of volunteers," McClung added.
With the club's contribution Friday, Arrington said the drive total now stands at $272,694.
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BFMS raises $2,000 for Lights for Life
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The student body of Benjamin Franklin Middle School was jointed by teachers for a "dodge ball" tournament on Jan. 14 that raised $2,000 for the Lights for Life memorial fundraiser.
Seventeen teams from the physical education classes were involved in tournament play, with team members being selected by their classmates.
Six teams came from each of the sixth and seventh-grade PE classes, with an additional five from the eighth grade.
Teachers also were allowed to play on the teams. Instructors of the school's physical education classes are Jessica Slough, eighth grade; Julie Luckett, seventh grade; and Betsy Hill and Andy Flora, sixth grade.
Each of the tournament participants paid $1 to participate, while student spectators also came up with $1 to watch. Teachers chipped in a little more or $5 each.
Principal Terri Robertson said tournament competition was held between 12:10-2:50 p.m.
Not counting teachers, staff or the administration, the school has a student enrollment of approximately 1,725, according to Robertson.
The principal said the dodge ball tournament was fun for the students and adults who either participated in the action or watched from the stands. "Everyone can play dodge ball. And it's fun to watch," one PE instructor said. "The tournament created a lot of interest at the school."
"This was truly a school event for a worthy cause," said Brenda Muse, school administrator.
The check was presented to L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, Thursday morning.
Seventeen teams from the physical education classes were involved in tournament play, with team members being selected by their classmates.
Six teams came from each of the sixth and seventh-grade PE classes, with an additional five from the eighth grade.
Teachers also were allowed to play on the teams. Instructors of the school's physical education classes are Jessica Slough, eighth grade; Julie Luckett, seventh grade; and Betsy Hill and Andy Flora, sixth grade.
Each of the tournament participants paid $1 to participate, while student spectators also came up with $1 to watch. Teachers chipped in a little more or $5 each.
Principal Terri Robertson said tournament competition was held between 12:10-2:50 p.m.
Not counting teachers, staff or the administration, the school has a student enrollment of approximately 1,725, according to Robertson.
The principal said the dodge ball tournament was fun for the students and adults who either participated in the action or watched from the stands. "Everyone can play dodge ball. And it's fun to watch," one PE instructor said. "The tournament created a lot of interest at the school."
"This was truly a school event for a worthy cause," said Brenda Muse, school administrator.
The check was presented to L.D. Arrington, drive chairman, Thursday morning.
Lights chairman thanks community for overwhelming support
Posted: January 21, 2011
Letter to the Editor - The Franklin News Post
To the citizens, churches, organizations, businesses and industries of Rocky Mount, Franklin County and surrounding areas:
One hundred and forty days (140) days after its beginning, the Lights For Life memorial fundraiser has exceeded its public sector goal.
By any measure, the Lights For Life drive has been an astonishingly successful and humbling experience. I am truly thankful for the many contributions that came in all sizes from 50 cents to $50,000 and from many different sources.
The drive averaged $1,875.27 per day for each and every day during the duration of the campaign!
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, I met with Rocky Mount Town Manager James Ervin and Franklin County Administrator Rick Huff II. I informed them that to date the drive had raised a total of $262,538.43. They were excited and very thankful for the public's contributions and said that the work on the project should be completed in early spring this year. Donations will still be accepted. Mail to: Town of Rocky Mount, 345 Donald Ave., Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Additional funds will simply offset the cost to the taxpayers.
YOU THE PEOPLE of Rocky Mount and Franklin County have responded to the call much faster and more generously than I ever dreamed possible. I am thankful beyond words for your trust and support. Now that you have done your part and the town and county is ready to do their part, I know all of Rocky Mount and Franklin County will be a safer and better place to live and travel.
I must give due credit to my friend whom I've known for more than 50 years -- Morris Stephenson, the real driving force behind my efforts. The Franklin News-Post provided for many articles and completely supported the Lights For Life campaign.
My hope and prayer is that Posey and Danny will always be remembered for the great men they really were.
If one sentence could sum up the project, mine choice would be, "ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL".
I am proud to call Franklin County home.
L.D. Arrington
Founder & CEO
Arrington Management Group, LLC
One hundred and forty days (140) days after its beginning, the Lights For Life memorial fundraiser has exceeded its public sector goal.
By any measure, the Lights For Life drive has been an astonishingly successful and humbling experience. I am truly thankful for the many contributions that came in all sizes from 50 cents to $50,000 and from many different sources.
The drive averaged $1,875.27 per day for each and every day during the duration of the campaign!
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, I met with Rocky Mount Town Manager James Ervin and Franklin County Administrator Rick Huff II. I informed them that to date the drive had raised a total of $262,538.43. They were excited and very thankful for the public's contributions and said that the work on the project should be completed in early spring this year. Donations will still be accepted. Mail to: Town of Rocky Mount, 345 Donald Ave., Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Additional funds will simply offset the cost to the taxpayers.
YOU THE PEOPLE of Rocky Mount and Franklin County have responded to the call much faster and more generously than I ever dreamed possible. I am thankful beyond words for your trust and support. Now that you have done your part and the town and county is ready to do their part, I know all of Rocky Mount and Franklin County will be a safer and better place to live and travel.
I must give due credit to my friend whom I've known for more than 50 years -- Morris Stephenson, the real driving force behind my efforts. The Franklin News-Post provided for many articles and completely supported the Lights For Life campaign.
My hope and prayer is that Posey and Danny will always be remembered for the great men they really were.
If one sentence could sum up the project, mine choice would be, "ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL".
I am proud to call Franklin County home.
L.D. Arrington
Founder & CEO
Arrington Management Group, LLC
Lights final total tops $260,000
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L.D. Arrington, the local businessman who led the effort, announced this week that $262,538.43 has been raised at the end of the 22nd report week, Friday, Jan. 14.
Arrington announced the total at a meeting Wednesday with Rocky Mount Town Manager James Ervin and Franklin County Administrator Rick Huff II.
Arrington said $2,612 was deposited this week from countertop collection boxes at Flowers by Jones, Quizno's, Bojangles and Dairy Queen locations during the past several weeks. The boxes will remain in place for several more weeks, he added.
After Arrington's report, Ervin and Huff informed the drive chairman that the project is expected to go out to bid in February. The two officials estimated the project's total cost between $600,000 and $620,000. The officials told Arrington that the balance will be covered by the two governing bodies.
The town and county hired Stone Engineering to draw up specifications for the project to equip all traffic signals and emergency response vehicles with the electronic devices needed to make intersections safer. The devices will be used by emergency response vehicles as they approach intersections to change traffic signals and warn motorists that such a vehicle is approaching.
Huff said there are approximately 70 emergency vehicles at 19 different locations throughout the county. Some of the newer traffic signals in the county are already equipped with the electronic devices.
The fundraiser started Aug. 25 with an announcement of three $25,000 pledges by Danny Perdue, Joel Shepherd and Arrington. Two days later, Franklin Community Bank made a $15,000 donation, presented by Larry Heaton, bank president and CEO.
The Lights for Life memorial fundraiser was the result of the July 26 traffic deaths of two local firefighters, Chief Posey Dillon and Danny Altice, both veterans with the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department.
The two died when a RMVFD fire truck, loaded with 1,000 gallons of water, was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Route 40 East and School Board Road about 4:29 p.m. The firemen were answering a call to the Glade Hill area of Smith Mountain Lake when the accident occurred. Dillon was driving the truck.
Dillon, 59, was a veteran of 33 years with the department, while Altice had more than 40 years of service as a firefighter.
A growing concern about making intersections safer led to the first meeting on Aug. 17 at the Rocky Mount Municipal Building. Representatives of the RMVFD were Chief Charlie Robertson, Assistant Chief Jeff Rakes and firefighters David Young, Justin Woodrow and Jeff McCarty attended the meeting. It was Young who came up with the idea of naming the fundraiser Lights for Life.
Initially, a goal of $425,000 was set and later increased to $450,000. As equipment needs and prices continued to be tabulated, the total project cost rose to the $600,000 figure.
When discussions were first held, the group hoped the fundraiser could raise $200,000. The $100,000 mark was passed on Sept. 9, led by an anonymous donation of $50,000. The weekly reports continued to increase at a steady rate as donations from individuals, businesses and industries poured in.
The $200,000 mark was broken on the seventh week of the drive in early October when $205,945 was reported by Arrington. Then the amount for the 20th week report on Dec. 31 showed $257,497, Arrington said.
"The donations reported this week all came from small donations. It's amazing to me how the donations of small change and dollar bills in the countertop collection boxes mounted up," Arrington said. "And it wasn't unusual for larger bills to be inserted into one of the boxes. A $100 bill was left in one."
"Everyone who contributed money, from small change to the largest donation, made this fundraiser a huge success. I cannot thank the residents enough," Arrington said. "This fundraiser is a great tribute to Posey Dillon and Danny Altice. They will never be forgotten."
Arrington announced the total at a meeting Wednesday with Rocky Mount Town Manager James Ervin and Franklin County Administrator Rick Huff II.
Arrington said $2,612 was deposited this week from countertop collection boxes at Flowers by Jones, Quizno's, Bojangles and Dairy Queen locations during the past several weeks. The boxes will remain in place for several more weeks, he added.
After Arrington's report, Ervin and Huff informed the drive chairman that the project is expected to go out to bid in February. The two officials estimated the project's total cost between $600,000 and $620,000. The officials told Arrington that the balance will be covered by the two governing bodies.
The town and county hired Stone Engineering to draw up specifications for the project to equip all traffic signals and emergency response vehicles with the electronic devices needed to make intersections safer. The devices will be used by emergency response vehicles as they approach intersections to change traffic signals and warn motorists that such a vehicle is approaching.
Huff said there are approximately 70 emergency vehicles at 19 different locations throughout the county. Some of the newer traffic signals in the county are already equipped with the electronic devices.
The fundraiser started Aug. 25 with an announcement of three $25,000 pledges by Danny Perdue, Joel Shepherd and Arrington. Two days later, Franklin Community Bank made a $15,000 donation, presented by Larry Heaton, bank president and CEO.
The Lights for Life memorial fundraiser was the result of the July 26 traffic deaths of two local firefighters, Chief Posey Dillon and Danny Altice, both veterans with the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department.
The two died when a RMVFD fire truck, loaded with 1,000 gallons of water, was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Route 40 East and School Board Road about 4:29 p.m. The firemen were answering a call to the Glade Hill area of Smith Mountain Lake when the accident occurred. Dillon was driving the truck.
Dillon, 59, was a veteran of 33 years with the department, while Altice had more than 40 years of service as a firefighter.
A growing concern about making intersections safer led to the first meeting on Aug. 17 at the Rocky Mount Municipal Building. Representatives of the RMVFD were Chief Charlie Robertson, Assistant Chief Jeff Rakes and firefighters David Young, Justin Woodrow and Jeff McCarty attended the meeting. It was Young who came up with the idea of naming the fundraiser Lights for Life.
Initially, a goal of $425,000 was set and later increased to $450,000. As equipment needs and prices continued to be tabulated, the total project cost rose to the $600,000 figure.
When discussions were first held, the group hoped the fundraiser could raise $200,000. The $100,000 mark was passed on Sept. 9, led by an anonymous donation of $50,000. The weekly reports continued to increase at a steady rate as donations from individuals, businesses and industries poured in.
The $200,000 mark was broken on the seventh week of the drive in early October when $205,945 was reported by Arrington. Then the amount for the 20th week report on Dec. 31 showed $257,497, Arrington said.
"The donations reported this week all came from small donations. It's amazing to me how the donations of small change and dollar bills in the countertop collection boxes mounted up," Arrington said. "And it wasn't unusual for larger bills to be inserted into one of the boxes. A $100 bill was left in one."
"Everyone who contributed money, from small change to the largest donation, made this fundraiser a huge success. I cannot thank the residents enough," Arrington said. "This fundraiser is a great tribute to Posey Dillon and Danny Altice. They will never be forgotten."