Annual Drawdown Nets $40,000

Attendees watch the computer-generated drawdown of entrants to see who will will the $10,000 grand prize.

Oxford’s annual St. John’s Drawdown raised approximately $40,000 for the Clayton Stevens Fund Trust Account, organizers say, with a record number of tickets sold and 600 people in attendance at the annual charity event held at the Oxford Conference Center on May 17.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of food, beverage and entertainment as they awaited the drawing of the final name from among the large pool of entrants vying to win the $10,000 grand prize.

This year’s winner was Joanne Bagley, said Drawdown spokesman Mark Hodge, who noted that the Oxford High School teacher had gotten engaged at the Ole Miss and Mississippi State baseball game only the week before. “With the drawdown win and the engagement, she definitely had a good week.”

Hodge said he was thankful for the support and generosity of the community that helped to make this year’s Drawdown a success.

St. John’s parishioners John Mardis, left, and Stan Sandroni, Drawdown emcee. Mardis is on the sales staff of Oxford Toyota. Sandroni is the well-known sideline reporter for the Ole Miss Football Radio Network.

“The silent auction was very successful, and we could not do it without the generosity of the local businesses in Oxford. We project that we cleared around $40,000 for the Clayton Stevens Fund Trust Account.”

The charity was established by the parent of Clayton Stevens, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1979, and serves the needy of Lafayette County with donations and support to the city’s Interfaith Ministries and other charitable organizations.

Hodge said the wine pull, which was new this year, also proved to be a hit with attendees.

“We had wine donated from parishioners and some package stores, and we sold 80 bottles in two hours.

As always, Hodge added, “The Krackerjacks (band) know how to throw a party, and a good time was had by all.”