As recently as nine years ago, Alabaster Schools were a part of the Shelby County school system. That all changed on July 1st, 2013 when the schools officially separated from the county. The rest as they say, is history. Good history. Soon after the transition took place, leaders like Dr. Wayne Vickers, the school’s first superintendent and Adam Moseley, current school board president approached Heidi Ramey and other volunteers about the formation of a Foundation to raise additional money to mirror the goals and values of the school system itself. Hence the formation of the Alabaster City Schools Foundation which became an official 501c3 in 2015 under the leadership of Ramey. A steady presence at the helm, Ramey oversaw the creation of fundraisers like T-shirt sales and a golf tournament which were quite successful until Covid came along. Ramey also helped build a relationship with the Regions Bank Foundation which, from the beginning, has been generous with annual donations to the ACSF. Two years ago Ramey passed the leadership torch to Keri Southern though she has remained on the board to offer share her institutional knowledge.
With a degree in English and Communications from the University of South Alabama, Keri Southern always wanted to be a teacher. Life had other plans though, in the names of three precious children named Baylee, Ella, and Cooper. With full support from her husband Ethan, Keri decided to become a stay-at-home mom until her children got into school, and at that point as Southern says, “My original desire to be a teacher coupled with my desire to be involved where my children went to school led me to volunteer whenever possible.” Being involved with the ACSF allows Southern the privilege of impacting the entire school system. Along with fellow board members Heidi Ramey, Neal Wagner, Erika Zobelein, Jamie Cole, Nicole Conte, and John Collier, Southern is dedicated to helping the Foundation build on the success of Ramey and those who helped advise it into existence.
Alabaster Connection asked Keri Southern a few basic questions about this important education nonprofit.
What is the Alabaster City Schools Foundation (ACSF)?
Established in 2015 as a tax deductible nonprofit, the Foundation raises money to support the school system from pre-k through 12th grade in unique ways that go beyond the annual school budget. To date, the foundation has raised over $100,000. As wonderful as that is, there is so much more our teachers need. Luckily, Alabaster continues to prosper, and its citizens are very generous.
How does the foundation support our schools?
The biggest thing the Foundation does is invest through the Classroom Grant Project. Every year teachers are encouraged to apply for grants from the ACSF. Last year the Foundation awarded over $19,000 in grants to 41 different ACS teachers. The Foundation also sponsors three $1,000 scholarships for THS graduates each year.
How does the Foundation raise money?
Events:
Alabaster resident Kendall Moseley, now a freshman at Alabama, came up with a unique fundraising idea back when the school was brand new: Selling Personalized Bricks so past, present and future Thompson grads can leave their mark on the new High School. The idea became a reality not just for THS grads but for anyone in Alabaster who wants to be a part of the school’s history. The bricks will be installed around the Thompson High School fountain. People who purchase a brick or bricks can have their family, friends, or even pets name placed on a brick or celebrate a loved one’s memory. The bricks come in three sizes and prices. The Foundation has set up a website where bricks can be ordered: polarengraving.com/alabastercity.
Grants:
In the past, the Foundation has received generous grants from corporations like Regions Bank, and the hope is to attract more support from corporations with a strong presence in our community. For those who work for companies in our wonderful community, please think of us!
Individual donors:
Angel individuals and families give out of their pockets to support the Foundation. Teachers even donate thorough payroll deduction. A donation of any amount is always appreciated and will be spent with great deliberation and care. We are an all-volunteer team!
“The Alabaster City Schools Foundation and the wonderful parents involved with it, are so important to adding that “extra” to our system. They are able to raise money and give grants directly to our teachers to help supplement their classrooms. Our community’s efforts like buying bricks helps puts thousands of dollars into the classroom to benefit our students.” ~ School Board President Adam Moseley
For more information:
[email protected]
TO ORDER A BRICK:
polarengraving.com/alabastercity
Alabaster City Schools Foundation
10111 Hwy 119
Alabaster, AL 35007