Schools seek businesses to assist fundraiser

Area businesses have the opportunity to help the local city schools before the school year even begins.

School officials are gearing up for the "Enjoy the Shoals" coupon-booklet program, which benefits Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia city schools.

This is the second year of the program, which is unique in that it benefits all four city systems in the Shoals.

"We started this last year, and what's so neat about it is it's the only time that I know of that Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia schools come together," said Debbie Bradford, director of the Muscle Shoals Education Foundation and local coordinator for Enjoy the Shoals. "Also, every single school in each school system sold the books and made money off it."

Anyone interested in including coupons in this year's book can contact Bradford at 389-2698.

She said it's important to do so soon, because limited space remains. "We want to wrap everything up by the end of July."

This is a part of an Enjoy the City program used by school systems in more than 80 markets across the nation, according to the organization's Web site.

Paul Larussa, who is the Shoals' representative from Enjoy the City, said these coupon books typically feature savings that are better than in other books. He said most coupons include buy one, get one free offers.

The booklets will start being offered Oct. 7, at a cost of $20 each, Bradford said. Each will contain more than $1,500 in savings.

"With the changes in the economy, it is so important that the community supports Enjoy the Shoals for the schools, as well as for the businesses that agree to include coupons in the book," she said. "It involves teamwork with the schools, foundations and parents."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.