“It’s humbling to get a donation of that size,” said Enterprise High School Principal Rick Rainer. “It’s one lump sum to aid in an area that we really still need funds to finish the project.”

The donation comes from proceeds of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment’s 2009 BamaJam Music Festival that are in turn donated to the two organizations.

Gilley and representatives from the Bo Harrell and Jimmy Bowden Foundations presented Enterprise City School Superintendent Dr. Jim Reese and Rainer with the checks.

“We can’t thank you enough for your support of this school system,” said Reese.

Gilley said the donation speaks volumes for the community.

“We have a community in need right now. We’re blessed to be able to give back to the community in a robust way. We look forward to an even bigger check next year as we continue to pay tribute to these families. I’m honored to be part of it,” said Gilley.

This is the second year the donations have been made in memory of former Enterprise High School graduates Bo Harrell and Jimmy Bowden.

“It’s a wonderful gift and I think it’s very special that both those guys, Jimmy and Bo, were both football players who played on that field (Bates) and the donation is being made at the last football game there. I think there is a little bit of symbolism in that,” said Rainer. “It’s very much appreciated. It’s good people doing good things for our school,” said Rainer.

Harrell’s mother Pam and close friends Chad Stewart and Brad Marsh were at the ceremony to present the check from the Bo Harrell Foundation.

Representing the Jimmy Bowden Foundation were Bowden’s wife Karen, his son Ben, his daughter-in-law Lindsay, his twin brother Johnny and his sister-in-law Shelly.

“It touches my heart so much for Bo’s name to be honored because he was such a special person,” said Pam. “It means everything.”

“It’s a real honor to be able to return something back to Enterprise City Schools, which is very near and dear to all our hearts,” said Karen.

“I can’t think of two better people to have such a tribute in their honor,” said Gilley.

Enterprise High School was destroyed on March 1, 2007 after a deadly tornado ripped through Enterprise destroying the high school and taking the lives of eight students and one resident.

The Wildcats will take the field in their new stadium in the fall of 2010. The school’s construction is expected to be complete in June 2010.

Photo: Representatives from the Bo Harrell and Jimmy Bowden Foundations presented checks totaling $113,500 to go toward the reconstruction of Enterprise High School. Pictured, from left, are Lindsay Bowden, Shelly Bowden, Johnny Bowden, Karen Bowden, Ben Bowden, Enterprise City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Reese, Ronnie Gilley, EHS Principal Rick Rainer, Pam Harrell, Chad Stewart and Brad Marsh. (Photo by Caroline Quattlebaum)