In 2009, board members of the CSS Neuse Foundation decided to do something special to raise funds to place a monument for Alton “Doc” Stapleford to recognize and honor 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 CSS Neuse II replica gunboat. When Alton agreed to head up the effort, the snickers of those who thought Ted had lost his mind stopped – and work on the gunboat 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.

Early during my tenure on the Neuse Foundation board I learned about the importance of the foundation’s primary fundraiser – “Wings Over the Neuse.” This year marks the 16th 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. A silver sponsor can either have up to five wing plates delivered or pick up the five 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 up their plates at the Farmers Market.

The top sponsorship level 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 asks that all sponsors arrange to have their plates picked no later than 1 p.m. if they choose the pick-up option.)

Last year, we had more than 100 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 – usually between noon to 12:30 pm – 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 request reimbursement.

However, the foundation does have expenses. The insurance runs nearly $4,000 per year. City utilities cost – on average – roughly $175 per month. In addition, the foundation gives special attention to maintaining the soundness of the vessel and its dock.

From the beginning, the CSS Neuse II has been a community project. Whether that support has been financial or sweat equity, 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. So far this year, 3,285 visitors have come aboard the CSS Neuse II during its regular hours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays – or during one of the private showings. 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 this year to support the foundation’s work. If you need a sponsorship form, send me an email, and I will send the form you need.

If you have time on Friday, September 13, to volunteer to help with this event, please let us know. Cooking 5,000-plus wings on-site, as well as making plates and scheduling deliveries, is 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.