It’s a sweet time of year for the Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Foundation as its Annual Strawberry Fundraiser is under way. Just this week, the organization began taking pre-orders for berries which are purchased annually through James Goots and are shipped from the Carolinas, said co-organizer and foundation member Fay Jamison.

 

“We used to get them from a supplier in California, but they weren’t as fresh as these,” she said.

 

Locals appreciate the opportunity to purchase the freshly-picked strawberries for use now and in the months to come.

 

“We have a lot of people tell us they freeze them and make jam,” she said. “They buy enough for all year.”

 

Through April 24, advance orders are being taken for May 14 delivery. Six pints – or a half flat - can be purchased for $14 and a whole flat for $22. Prices are the same as last year, Jamison said.

 

Pre-ordered strawberries will be available for pickup at the Wayne Jamison Field concession stand 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thurs., May 14. Additional strawberries will be available for purchase at that time. Those will be available on a first-come basis. Pre-orders are still recommended as some years, including last year, the extra quantities sold out, Jamison said.

 

The alumni foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the strawberry sale started several years ago.

 

“We needed some way to support the scholarships and I think originally, they were giving two or three a year in the beginning,” Jamison said. “We needed to increase that amount of money and Alice Rowe, a member of our alumni foundation, knew they were doing a strawberry sale in Morgantown, where she went to school, so she told us about it and we tried it out. It seemed to work well and the community is still very supportive of it.”

 

The foundation also raises funds through the annual BHS Hall of Fame dinner and is also funded through private and corporate donations. With combined funds, the foundation provides more than $30,000 in college scholarships annually. Winners of scholarships are named annually at the BHS Senior Assembly.

 

For those looking to order, there are two numbers to call. Contact Jamison at 304-842-6510, Charlotte Cathell at 304-842-3474, through any foundation member or those taking orders at various community businesses. Payment is required with orders and can be made via cash or checks made payable to BHS Alumni & Friends Foundation.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured top/cover is foundation member Darletta Stout and just above is Charlotte Cathell and Brenda Workman at last year's strawberry pickup at Wayne Jamison Field concession stand.