COLUMBIANA – The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce raised funds to benefit local students while supporting local business at its fourth annual Boots and Bowties Silent Auction on the evening of Thursday, March 8. The event was held at Douglas Manor in Columbiana.

“We like to get the community involved,” Gardner said. “Business from all over Shelby County have come together to support our high school students.”

According to Gardner, the purpose of Boots and Bowties was to raise money for the South Shelby Chamber’s Johnny Lowe Scholarship Fund, which will award $1,000 to seven graduating seniors from Calera High School, Chelsea High School, Cornerstone Christian School, Coosa Valley Academy, the Career Technical Education Center, Shelby County High School and Vincent High School.

“The scholarships can help a student who might not have the means to purchase things like books or cover part of their tuition,” Gardner said.

The majority of the items sold in the auction were donated by businesses on the communities were students were eligible for the scholarships.

Gardner said this year’s Boots and Bowties would not have been possible without the efforts of the South Shelby Chamber’s volunteers and business leaders.

“This year in particular, our ambassadors have really pulled it together,” Gardner said.

Boots and Bowties was primarily sponsored by Avadian Credit Union. Cat-n-Bird Winery and Bama Budweiser provided beverages, and the event was catered by Bertolone’s.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at a South Shelby Chamber luncheon on Thursday, May 3.