Franklin County, News, Russellville
 By  Alison James Published 
10:15 am Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cruisers give big bucks to better community

Ray Smelser of the Cotton Flats Cruisers Car Club presents a $500 donation to the automotive technology program at Russellville High School. The Cruisers have been donating throughout the community to a number of causes.

Ray Smelser of the Cotton Flats Cruisers Car Club presents a $500 donation to the automotive technology program at Russellville High School. The Cruisers have been donating throughout the community to a number of causes.

Civic involvement is alive and well in Franklin County – particular when it comes to the Cotton Flats Cruisers Car Club.

The club is well-known for its classic car shows, but what might or might not be well known is the club’s willing donations to different organizations and groups throughout the community – most recently, a $500 gift for the Helping Santa gift collection program, coordinated by the Russellville Fire Department.

In a resolution approved at the Nov. 16 Russellville City Council meeting, the council thanked the car club for the donation, which will help provide gifts for Christmas for children in need in Russellville and Franklin County.

“That’s the type of people who make this program work,” said Fire Chief Joe Mansell. “If it wasn’t for people like that, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We appreciate what they’ve done.”

The club also donated recently to the automotive technology program at Russellville High School and makes annual donations to the American Cancer Society.

Also on Franklin County Times
Storm spotter training course set in Russellville
News, Russellville
Griffin Traylor 
February 23, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The National Weather Service in Huntsville will hold free a storm spotter training course Tuesday at Fire Station #1. The class will be...
Miss Northwest Shoals 2026 to take place Saturday
News, Phil Campbell
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
February 20, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Northwest Shoals Community College will be host to the 2026 Miss Northwest Shoals scholarship pageant at 5 p.m. Saturday inside the Lo...
Tiffin Motorhomes to produce new line
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY — Tiffin Motorhomes is slated to open a new production line in Red Bay, according to Tiffin’s parent company, THOR Industries. Beginning May 1...
Dealer: Gold content not suitable for everyday use
Main, News, Z - News Main
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
The push for a new $2.50 anniversary coin is raising logistical and economic questions, particularly about whether such a coin could be used in everyd...
Red Bay approves $3.6M budget
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY – City officials are expecting a slight decrease in sales tax revenue for the upcoming fiscal year but anticipating a larger general fund budg...
$5K TVA grant to bring student podcasting program to RES
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Elementary School students will soon be recording podcasts, interviewing community members and exploring career paths in a program bein...
State is overlooking qualified local leaders
Columnists, Opinion
February 18, 2026
When I was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1978, I was 39 years old. Now at the age of 87, when I go out in the community, I meet people who re...
Opinion: Here and Now – White to perform March 7 at the Roxy
News, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
February 18, 2026
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist There is something special about a night out in a small town. People run into neighbors. They make a plan instead of...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *