TRI-LAKES AREA — While the Bryant High School Hornets were victors over the Panthers of Benton High School at the annual Salt Bowl on Sept. 2, the two Saline County cities and three charities were also winners.
Tom Farmer, director of transportation and system maintenance for the Bryant School District, said final tallies will not be in for another week or more from the humanitarian efforts that are a part of the Salt Bowl celebration within Benton and Bryant. He said the results gathered so far show that the 2011 Salt Bowl was a “really successful” event.
◊A total of 243 units of blood were donated to the American Red Cross. Blood drives were held at each school and before the football game at War Memorial Stadium.
◊Salt Bowl fans donated 1,200 poundsof peanut butter to the Arkansas Rice Depot. Farmer said that was almost double the amount collected in 2010. The two communities also gave more than $2,000 for the organization’s efforts to alleviate hunger in the state.
◊The amount of money raised in a texting campaign for the American Cancer Society has not yet been reported. During the pre-game ceremony, a number was flashed on the scoreboard askingthose attending the game to text to that number. A donation will be given to the society’s organizations in Arkansas for each text message. Farmer said he expected the amount to surpass last year’s total of $1,700.
◊Autobody of America in Bryant donated two sport-utility vehicles, one to the American Cancer Society and one to theArkansas Rice Depot. Farmer said the SUV going to the society is equipped with a wheelchair lift and will carry patients to medical appointments. The vehicle for the Rice Depot will be used to pick up food donations and to distribute food.
Farmer said Salt Bowl attendance was up to more than 23,500, and he called the event’s tailgate party a success.
Staff writer Wayne Bryan can be reached at (501) 244-4460 or wbryan@arkansasonline.com.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 131 on 09/11/2011