Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) held its annual deer hunt fundraiser on Friday, Jan. 19, drawing local hunters and participants from as far away as Texas and Louisiana for a weekend-long event. The fundraiser, which has been a tradition for over 20 years, has grown so successful that organizers now have to turn away hunters due to space limitations.

Headmaster Becky Baggett explained that the event is a significant contributor to the school’s financial well-being.

“The deer hunt is so important for the school,” Baggett said. “Since we’re not a public school, we have to raise our own funds.” 

This sentiment was echoed by the school’s Board Chairman SalLee Sasser-Williams, who emphasized the fundraiser’s role in funding school maintenance, upgrades, and classroom supplies. 

“This is our biggest fundraiser. It helps us to be able to give our teachers everything they need to teach our children and keep up the facility,” Sasser-Williams said, “We don’t get funding. We rely on alumni, parents, grandparents, and businesses within Crenshaw County. We are so grateful for everyone’s support. We really couldn’t do this without our community.”

The event, which drew approximately 150 guests each night, featured a homemade dinner of fried fish, hush puppies, slaw, baked beans, and desserts, all prepared and served by CCA volunteers. At the conclusion of Saturday night’s dinner, winners were announced for the schools gun raffle with several participants bringing home new hunting equipment. The success of the event has led to a waiting list for hunters wanting to participate.

“I’ve been involved with this event since the beginning,” Sasser-Williams said. “Every year it gets bigger and bigger. Having enough land is now an obstacle for us. We have a waiting list for hunters.”

The CCA Annual Deer Hunt fundraiser remains a vital source of support for the school, fostering community involvement and drawing participants from across the region for a weekend of outdoor activities and fundraising efforts.