For the next couple of months, Earl Dean Cox and his wife, Sandy, will likely be two of the only people not scowling when it comes time to fill up at the fuel pump.
Why?
Because Earl Dean was the winner of last week’s drawing for 200 gallons of free gasoline through a raffle conducted by the Hannibal Athletic Booster Club. The fuel was donated by Big River Oil Company. The proceeds will go to help defray the cost of the Hannibal public school district’s new field turf.
The fuel will be a blessing to the Cox family. Earl Dean commutes to Bowling Green, where he works at the prison. Sandy added that the gasoline will help cover the cost of periodic medical trips to Columbia.
When the initial call came from Mark St Clair, HHS football coach, that his name had been drawn, Earl Dean suspected someone might be playing a prank.
“At first I didn’t believe it,” said Earl Dean, whose good luck was confirmed a short time later when Stewart McIntyre of Big River Oil called to congratulate him. “I’m very happy ... excited.”
Earl Dean noted that he has fuel tanks on three cars, a truck and a motorcycle to keep full.
“If I fill them all at one time, that will take a chunk,” he said with a chuckle.
How long does Earl Dean expect the 200 gallons to last?
“If I only use it for work, it will take me into October,” he said. “If I use it before a road trip, it will be gone by July.”
As the price of gasoline continues to climb, Earl Dean said some have suggested he wait to use the fuel until this summer when prices are expected to peak.
“I’ll use it as I need it,” he said.
Earl Dean and Sandy will not be the only ones benefitting from the free fuel.
“My church (Calvary Baptist) is going to get a tank of gas,” said Earl Dean. “I’m also going to give the person who sold me the winning ticket (Melissa Chitwood) a tank of free gas.”
“The football parents and kids, along with some other groups, did a good job of selling the tickets,” said St Clair, who expressed his appreciation to Big River Oil for the fuel donation and A&S Printing, which printed the raffle tickets.
“It’s been a community effort to get this project done, but Big River Oil really stepped up,” said John Daniels, activities director at HHS. “We’re happy and excited for Mr. Cox.”
McIntyre said Earl Dean has up to a year to use all the gasoline. Big River Oil operates 16 Pick-A-Dilly stores in Hannibal and the surrounding area. The Coxes have chosen a local store from which to redeem their gasoline.
McIntyre said Big River Oil was happy to be a part of the fund-raising effort.
“This (fuel donation) is better than cash,” he said. “They can raise more money.”
How much money did this fund-raiser generate? Daniels was uncertain since all the revenue has gone into a general account which will be used to help pay for the purchase and installation of the new field turf. Anyone wishing to contribute to the project should contact Daniels or Randy Park, chairman of the field turf committee.
“We’re going to keep going toward raising the total amount so we can take any responsibility (for contributing to the project) off of the school district,” Daniels said. “We’re very close to having the whole thing funded.”
Daniels says that preparations for the installation of the field turf will begin after this year’s graduation, which is scheduled Thursday, May 22.
“I may be out here with a shovel after the last diploma is handed out,” said Daniels with a smile.
