Mike Parker: Time to support ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ once again

CSS Neuse Foundation President David Mooring and volunteers prepare some of the more than 5,000 wings for a recent "Wings Over the Neuse."

I was not part of the CSS Neuse Foundation Board when the first “Wings Over the Neuse” fundraiser occurred. In 2009, board members decided to do something special to raise funds needed to place a monument for Alton “Doc” Stapleford to recognize and honor all the work and supervision he provided during the construction of the CSS Neuse II. That fundraiser proved successful. The next time you visit the Neuse II, check out the memorial honoring Alton.

Alton had just retired from his business as a master boatbuilder when Ted Sampley was looking for someone to take charge of constructing the replica gunboat. Most people thought Ted had lost his mind when he suggested building a full-scale replica of the CSS Ram Neuse on the corner of Herritage and Gordon streets.

When Alton agreed to become involved in the project, the snickers stopped – and the work began. From 2002 until 2009, Alton and volunteers from the community showed up to make Ted’s vision a reality. Alton completed his part of the project in 2009. He passed away on July 15, 2010. Ted had passed away a little more than a year before Alton.

I became involved with the CSS Neuse Foundation in 2012. I learned early during my tenure on the board about the importance of what had become the foundation’s primary fundraiser – “Wings Over the Neuse.” This year marks the 14th edition of “Wings.”

During “Wings,” the foundation raises money in two ways. First, we seek community businesses, organizations, and individuals to be sponsors. Sponsors can pick from three sponsorship levels.

Silver sponsors donate at least $100. The silver sponsor receives at least two weeks of advertising on a banner with other silver sponsors. The silver sponsor can either have up to five wing plates delivered or pick up the plates at the Lenoir County Farmers Market.

A gold sponsor donates at least $250. Gold sponsors receive at least two weeks of recognition on a banner with one other gold sponsor. Gold sponsors can also have up to 12 wing plates delivered, or they can pick them up at the Farmers Market.

The top level of sponsorship is platinum. Platinum sponsors donate at least $500. They receive recognition on a banner that bears only their name and logo, and they may pick up or have delivered up to 25 wing plates.

The foundation is asking that all sponsors arrange to have their plates picked up by 1 p.m. if they choose the pick-up option.

Last year, we had 98 paying sponsors and 17 in-kind sponsors.

The second way the foundation makes money from this fundraiser is by selling chicken wing plates. Once plates for sponsors have been set aside for pick up or sent for delivery, sales to the public begin. Each wing plate is only $5.00.

The money the foundation raises does not go into anyone’s pocket. All board members are unpaid volunteers. All docents are unpaid volunteers. Many board members dip into their pockets to purchase things needed for maintaining the CSS Neuse II and never ask for a reimbursement.

However, the foundation does have expenses. First, insurance runs nearly $4,000 per year. City utilities cost – on average – roughly $100 per month. We must replace light bulbs, and when flags wear out, we must also replace them.

From the beginning, the CSS Neuse II has been a community project. Whether the support has been financial or sweat equity, the citizens of Kinston and Lenoir County have demonstrated over and over that this project is important to them.

The Neuse II brings tourism to our community. Recently, a group of 25 teachers from Rio Grande, Ohio, came to Kinston to visit the CSS Neuse Museum and the CSS Neuse II. A group of 15 archeology students and their professor visited the Neuse II and the Neuse Neuse in June.

The Neuse II has drawn visitors from as far away as the Philippines, Israel, and Ireland. People from all 50 U.S. states have come aboard the Neuse II.

Please step up again this year and support the foundation’s work. If you need a sponsorship form, send me an email, and I will send the form you need.

Please let us know if you have time on Friday, September 9, to volunteer to help with this event. Cooking on-site 5,000-plus wings, as well as making plates and scheduling deliveries is a great deal of work.

If you want to donate but not sponsor, you may send your donation to The CSS Neuse Foundation, PO Box 251, Kinston, NC  28502-0251.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Mike Parker, who serves on the board of the CSS Neuse Foundation, is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.