Morrison Scholarship event termed a success

<p class="p1">The first Jimmy Morrison Memorial Scholarship fundraiser held at the Blue Boar Restaurant near Anna recently was determined a success.</p><p class="p1">“We  had 150 show up for dinner,” said event coordinator Rick Bittle. “Thanks to the Blue Boar – they are always helpful with their donations.”</p><p class="p1">Morrison, a former standout Anna-Jonesboro Community High School baseball player and former minor league professional baseball player, was tragically killed; the case eventually led to charges and convictions against those who were involved.</p><p class="p1">Former professional baseball players Mark Grace, Ferguson Jenkins, Bob Dernier, Texas Ranger relief pitcher Spencer Patton and professional baseball coaches Kirk Champion of the Chicago White  Sox and Terry Tripp with the Braves, all made donations.</p><p class="p1">Others in attendance were former junior high school coach Ron Fulenwider, A-J softball coach Pat Pitts and former Carbondale High School baseball coach  Larry Jackson.</p><p class="p1">Between the event and other donations, between $92,000 and $93,000 was raised for the first memorial.</p><p class="p1">Bittle, a former baseball coach at A-J who coached Morrison, said the goal is to raise $35,000 for the memorial fund each year.</p><p class="p1">Next year’s event could be a golf tournament or another fund raising event, Bittle noted. He said it’s still in the planning stages. </p><p class="p1">“Hopefully, this will grow each year,” Bittle said.</p><p class="p1">Anyone interested in donating to the memorial fund can contact the Anna State Bank or they can call Bittle at 697-2207.</p>