By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A sports group seeks to save parents money through food sales.

The Gardendale Girls Park Board is now selling Boston butts and cheesecakes to help raise funds for the fall softball season and spare parents’ pocketbooks.

Girls park board president Alan Hall said some parents may not even realize costs incurred by the board during the spring and fall seasons, despite lowering its registration cost.

“Two years ago, the registration to play was $150 and we went down to $125 last year,” he said. “We want to be able to keep it at that level to make it affordable for kids to play. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Hall said 65 girls have signed up to play fall ball. In the spring, there are usually about 150 players.

The $125 registration fee includes a uniform and is the primary expense for families.

However, the board has multiple expenses throughout the year.

Hall said the cost of insurance on the park is more than $1,100 for the year. Additionally, the park’s power bills can range from $1,200 to $2,000 per month.

Other expenses include cases of softballs purchased for each team at a cost of $54 per case. The board also has to pay for umpires, which cost the board $5,000 last year.

The board’s operation of park concession stands helps offset some of the costs. “We encourage people to eat at the concession stand because that helps the park and helps their child,” Hall said.

The group will take orders for food through Oct. 1. The Boston butts, prepared by Jim ‘N’ NIck’s, are $25 and the Chick-fil-A cheesecakes are also $25. Those who purchase both will also receive a bottle of barbecue sauce, a loaf of bread and a 2-liter Pepsi.

The food will be available for pick-up on Oct. 8 at Park Place at Moncrief Park at 6 p.m. That is also the night of the community bonfire at Moncrief Park.

Hall said the board will also sponsor another fund-raiser in the spring, featuring discount cards that can be used at local merchants. There will be no cost to be on the card and the merchants can choose their discount.

To order a Boston butt, cheesecake or learn how to be part of next year’s discount card, contact Hall at 514-2226 or e-mail him at alan@tcronline.org.