Not too long ago, Marion Military Institute started a Capital Improvements Campaign to fund refurbishments of their buildings. Thanks to ALFA, that campaign got a tremendous boost Wednesday morning.

At a special assembly in front of all of MMI’s cadets and faculty, ALFA president Jerry Newby presented Col. James Benson, MMI president, with a check for $125,000.

“We sincerely hope this will help you all be more successful in all your goals,” Newby told the cadets.

“This is an extraordinary gift that ALFA has given us today,” said Benson afterwards. “It’s going to go towards the renovation of Wilkerson Hall, Lovelace Hall, and the Chapel. All three are Civil War-era buildings.”

In a bit of irony, Benson received the check in the soon-to-be refurbished Chapel.

“These buildings are the ‘front porch’ of our campus,” Benson said. “They’re often the first impression people get of our institution. We’ll now be able to present these buildings the way we want to present them.”

Newby was more than glad to help MMI make it possible.

“We’re very happy to do this,” he said afterwards. “MMI is one of the great heritages we have in Alabama. They have produced so many fine men and women who have served our military, our country, and our state.”

“We are delighted to help MMI continue its mission of preparing young men and women for their lives and the military,” he added.

Dr. Phillip Stone, a visiting speaker who delivered an address on Lincoln to the cadets following the check presentation, told the assembly that the positives of such a donation can be measured in more than just dollars and cents.

“I commend ALFA,” he said. “Not just for the money involved, but for the endorsement it provides. Businesses only have so many funds to give out, so when a business says ‘We choose you,’ for the community to be able to see that has benefits that go far beyond the gift.”