I’LL SETTLE FOR STARS ANY DAY - AN OPEN LETTER

All through the years that I was away at school, and well into my adult life, I can not remember a time when I visited Red Springs and DID NOT stop by “The College.”  As some may be aware, my grandmother (Annie Culbreth Gaitley) attended the college in 1907 before beginning work as an accountant for the railroad.  I’ve heard the story many times.  More than thirty years later, as their four daughters approached college age, she and her husband returned to Red Springs so that their four girls could reap the benefit of a Flora Macdonald Education.  The campus has also housed Vardell Hall and the current institution of Flora Macdonald Academy where I attended during my middle school years. I know the campus holds a special place in many people’s hearts.  The memory that stands out in my mind was as an eleven year old growing up in Red Springs and standing at the base of the rotunda, marveling at its beauty as I gazed up to its pinnacle.  That my little town had something so grand, invoked in me a sense of pride and wonder.

With this in mind, and acutely aware of the considerable and ongoing task of maintaining that beautiful structure and the other buildings on the Flora Macdonald Campus, I have been talking with Tommy Ammons about initiating a fundraiser; an annual ball, held in conjunction with the Flora Macdonald Highland Games.  The ball will be produced by a foundation (The Flora Macdonald Legacy Foundation) and this foundation will annually appoint members to serve on the various committees associated with the Ball and other events throughout the year.  Comprised of alumni from the three institutions of learning that have been housed on the Flora Macdonald Campus and from community leaders, The Flora Macdonald Legacy Foundation will annually choose a beneficiary organization that will benefit from proceeds raised. From my perspective, the two most logical organizations that I hope will benefit from this annual event are The Flora Macdonald Education Foundation (the organizations whose primary task is the upkeep of the buildings on the Flora Macdonald Campus) and/or the Flora Macdonald Gardens. However, if the foundation grows it would be nice to expand the scope of support to include other institutions and/or offer scholarships and grants.  Of course, I want to build Rome TOMORROW but also realize we have to take one step at a time and our first big step is this ball.

I have high hopes that the Flora Macdonald Ball will not only provide a wonderful celebration for Red Springs and that it will serve as an annual "homecoming" for those who attended school on the Flora Macdonald Campus and those who grew up in and around Red Springs, but that it will also serve as a substantial fundraiser, helping to maintain the campus buildings and gardens.

I am honored to be co-chairing the First Annual Flora Macdonald Ball with Flora Macdonald Alumna Rosalynde Gibson Cowdrey and feel the Legacy Foundation is off to a strong start with the support of other alumni from the institutions noted above and with the support of community leaders such as board member and Red Springs Mayor George T. Paris.  We invite and encourage friends of "The College", Alumni from Vardell Hall and Flora Macdonald Academy, and those who have an appreciation for the rich history associated with the campus buildings and the importance of preserving them, to help support this venture.  In some ways this will simply be a nice party - a chance for everyone to dress up, celebrate, and visit with friends - but on a broader and more important scale this ball and the Flora Macdonald Legacy Foundation can make a substantial difference in the preservation of something very dear to many for generations to come.

I know the thoughts outlined in this letter are quite ambitious but I feel it is well worth shooting for.  I am a strong believer in the words of Les Brown,  “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss it you will land among the stars.”  I’ll settle for stars any day.

For individuals interested in taking an active part of getting this ball off the ground the Ball Committee invites you to serve on one of the committees.  Those serving on committees are encouraged to join the “Friends of the Ball” (Levels of Giving to help finance the ball and the ball’s beneficiary) and participate on at least two activities during the course of the year.  If interested in participating at this level please contact Janette Hopper, Rosalynde Gibson Cowdrey, or Gaitley Mathews at MacdonaldBall@aol.com or call the Ball Hotline at (910) 307-0090. If interested in making a financial contribution see the FRIENDS OF THE BALL page either enclosed or on the Internet at www.floramacdonaldball.com/page4.html.  Please know that your support and interest is appreciated. 

Thank you!

Sincerely,

(Robert) Gaitley Mathews