Red Fox Club supports sports at Hartsville High

For more than 40 years, the Red Fox Club has given support to athletics at Hartsville High School, providing funds where needed to supplement those budgeted by the school.

“We are an organization that raises money for all athletic programs at Hartsville High School,” Doug Newton, 2010 Red Fox Club president, said.

“We take up the slack of what isn’t budgeted for,” Club Treasurer Debbie Talbert said.

“Everyone is cutting back,” Newton said. And high school athletic programs are seeing their share of cutbacks. Now more than ever they need community support.

In addition to running the concession stand at home football games, the Red Fox Club holds several fund-raising events during the year.

With a small membership, the Red Fox Club relies on members of the community to help with the concession stand at home games. The Rotary Club, Newton said, takes a turn working the booth. Also, they pay members of other teams like the swim team and their parents to operate the booth to help them raise additional money for their teams. Member spouses, who might not be members, also help in the booth.

Other fundraisers of the club include a bass fishing tournament, which is heavily supported by Marshall’s Marine and Mercury Outdoor Motors, including the donation of a boat; and two barbecue fundraisers, supported by Mr. B’s Restaurant. Pepsi Cola is also a big supporter of the Red Fox Club, Talbert said.

There will be a barbecue event this October.

“We encourage the adults to help with our fundraisers because it does help their kids,” Newton said.

The Red Fox Club also sells house and business flags for $50 each too. Anyone wishing to purchase a flag should call Talbert at Carolina Bank in Hartsville.

One of the biggest expenses incurred yearly by the club is the purchase of trophies to be given out to the athletes during the year at the four sports banquets.

“We supply all the trophies for those,” Newton said.

Anything extra the athletes might need like wrestling mats for the wrestling team or the backstop for the baseball team purchased last year, Newton said, they try to get.

“If we have the money, and it is a legitimate need, we don’t say no,” Talbert said. “The kids are what we are here for.”

Currently, they have about 10 active members in the club. Dues are $10 a year, and normally the club meets the third Monday of each month. However, they had a special called meeting Monday to talk about the coming year and what some of the need might be.

Newton said Talbert “is the glue that keeps us together.” He said her dedication to the group is what keeps them going.

“We are always looking for new members,” Talbert said.

Newton, who didn’t go to Hartsville High, said, “There seemed to be a need, and I was asked to join. I figured someone did it for me when I was in school. I’m just returning the favor.”

Newton has two children at Hartsville High, a senior on the soccer team and a freshman who would like to join the wrestling team.

Talbert, who has been a member of the Red Fox Club for about 15 years and has no children in school, said she got into the club through Carolina Bank, which is huge supporter of community activities.

Although most of the Red Fox Club members are parents with children in sports, everyone is welcome and needed.

Cliff McBride is the only lifetime member, Newton said. McBride and his father have both served as president of the Red Fox Club.

“We would like to encourage anyone who would like to become a member to do so,” Newton said. “It is for the kids. You don’t have to be present for every meeting or participate in every event. I think some of the old folks forget someone did it for us.”

Other officers in the club are Blair Neal, vice president, and Alice Funderburk, secretary.