100,000 dollar donation to Shelby Post 82

from the Shelby Star

Ultra Machine makes $100,000 donation to American Legion baseball
Drew Brooks
August 13, 2007 - 10:40PM


SHELBY — When Frank Stewart’s company made a contribution to the American Legion World Series, he had two goals in mind.

The first was to give support to the community that his company, Ultra Machine and Fabrication, calls home.

The second was to challenge other local businesses to step up to the plate.

Ultra did not issue the challenge without a bang though, donating $100,000 for the event that Shelby will host in August 2008.

Eddie Holbrook, co-chairman of the World Series, said a donation of that size is rare.

“It makes a gigantic impact,” he said. “This shows Ultra’s willingness to support the community.”

“Stewart feels very strongly about supporting the community,” said Wendell Fannin, Ultra’s vice president of business development.

Ultra specializes in armored plates, protecting vehicles used by the military.

Fannin said Ultra tries to give as much as possible back to the community. “Almost everything we do we try to find a company in the Shelby area,” he said.

Holbrook said the event should cost around $650,000. They already have between $300,000 and $350,000 raised. Most other donations have varied between $10,000 and $50,000.

That’s a lot of money, but the investment is worth it thanks to the return, he said.

Holbrook said American Legion Headquarters estimates in excess of a $5.5 million economic impact on the city and county.

“All areas will profit significantly,” he said. “The city will be flooded (with people) for two continuous weeks.”

“This is a way to give back to the community. It’s just that simple,” Fannin said. “The event will be a major boost for Cleveland County.”

Most of the money needed will go toward renovations and updates to Keeter Stadium at Shelby High School, where both the World Series and Southeast Regionals will be held. That work will begin this fall, he said.

Holbrook said it would be the first time a site has hosted both a regional and the championship.

 

Smash...all I can say is...."Wow!!!!!!!!" after I get my jaw back into place, I'll comment on this.

 

With that $100,000,,,, that should just about cover the costs for making enough homemade ice cream for me & Braves... But if NPCFanatic goes with us, they will need to get out and raise some more...

Congrats to the Shelby folks, looking forward to it.