By By MaryClaire Foster
Chad Bartz was arrested Thursday evening following state treasurer Kay Ivey’s speech at the United Fund of Atmore’s 2009 fundraising kickoff and silent auction.
As Escambia County sheriff Grover Smith feigned frisking and handcuffing Bartz, vice president of the United Fund, board member Susan Smith asked the crowd to help set his bail, which he would have to raise.
Along with Bartz’s $150 bail, the silent auction raised $3,300. President Ann Glavan said she was pleased with the overall turnout for the event, including the representation of agencies the Fund helps support. This is the Fund’s only organized event, and other fundraising will be done by the committee members as individuals.
Hackman, director of the Red Cross, was one of two speakers representing agencies supported by the Fund. Carolyn Morris of the Hospitality House also spoke and praised the Fund saying, “They have been such a blessing to us in helping us be a reaching hand in helping others.”
Treasurer Ivey was the evening’s special guest speaker. There to speak on community support, Ivey offered two different ideas for fundraising, including contacting Escambia County residents about unclaimed property and a personal financial plan that would allot one percent to the Fund. Ivey praised those in attendance telling them, “Because you’re here tonight you’ve demonstrated your civic loyalty and participation in United Fund and further substantiated your civic loyalty.”
Bartz said this was the Fund’s first year to have a silent auction and said they had received a lot of positive feedback.
Smith said she thought there was great community participation, but would have liked to see more.
She also spoke about it being about more than just raising money and said it was also about the camaraderie and the fellowship.
Robert McGhee attended the auction and said he came because it’s a good cause and the Fund contributes to Young Life, a youth organization for which he is on the board.