Stratford alumni director Jaime Kaplan makes plans for next week’s benefit. (Photo by ANNA PAREL)

By ANNA PAREL
Gazebo Staff Writer

After months of planning, Stratford’s Jaime Kaplan said she and her committee are ready for the Kevin Brown-Russell Henley Five Star Celebrity Classic next week.

Kaplan, the school’s s alumni director, major gifts coordinator and the boys and girls tennis coach, said even though the annual tournament is not a Stratford event, it definitely has a Stratford flair.

“There are many Stratford people playing and participating in the tournament,” she said. “Some are even getting community service hours by helping out.”

The two-day event begins with a clay shoot at 9 a.m. at the Ocmulgee River Gun Club on Monday, Sept. 28. A silent and live auction will follow at 6:30 p.m. at Idle Hour Club.

The shotgun start for the tournament is Tuesday, Sept. 29, at noon at Idle Hour, The Brickyard and Healy Point.

Among the celebrities is Henley, a 2006 Stratford graduate who plays on the PGA Tour. Two other celebrities with Stratford connections include Peter Persons and Jeff Treadway. Persons, a former PGA golfer, graduated from Stratford in 1980. Treadway, a former Atlanta Braves infielder, now serves as Stratford’s director of grounds and head softball coach.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Macon Volunteer Clinic.

This week, Stratford is participating in a collection drive on behalf of the Rescue Mission, which is an organization that helps individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and domestic violence. Donations are being sought for canned goods, gently used clothes or household items, cleaning supplies and toiletries.

Some of the most unique items at the auction are listed below.
— Autographed guitar by singer Luke Bryan
— Autographed helmet by former UGA quarterback Aaron Murray
— Autographed helmet by former UGA running back Herschel Walker
— Autographed baseball by Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz
— Autographed baseball by Hall of Fame baseball player Frank Thomas
— Autographed football by Mercer Coach Bobby Lamb
— Autographed shirt by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhart Jr.
— Autographed baseball by former Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones
— Autographed guitar by singer Darius Rucker