By JUSTIN SMITH | The Selma Times-Journal

The Dallas and Wilcox Bama Club is gearing up for their scholarship season as well as Alabama’s football season.

The club is putting on a raffle for a chance to win two football tickets to all of Alabama’s home games.

Each ticket will sell for $20 each. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the club’s scholarship fund.

“Our program gives seniors heading to The University of Alabama an opportunity to not have that great of a financial burden,” club member Ronnie Leet said.

There will only be 300 tickets sold in all. The winner of the raffle will also receive a free parking pass for the games and two free pre-game meals. To purchase a ticket, contact any Bama Club member or call (334) 875-2762.

The winning ticket will be announced two weeks before the first home game on Dixie County 100.1.

The local club serves as a branch of UA’s National Alumni Association. It is made up of several of Alabama alumni, fans and friends.

Their main function is to distribute scholarship money to area seniors from their seven endowed scholarships.

The group is able to provide scholarships yearly through members and their yearly football raffle.

In 2016, the Dallas and Wilcox Bama club awarded 10 students scholarships totaling the amount of $22,500. This year, they are providing 12 scholarships for a total of $21,000. Over the last five years, the club has given away more than $120,000 in scholarships.

The first scholarship the club gave away was in 1987. They gave away The Sam Earle Hobbs endowed scholarship. Hobbs served The University of Alabama as a trustee and interim chancellor.

Their scholarship numbers have grown and now include The Sterling Price Rainer Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Blackbelt Endowed Scholarship, Bettie Jean Perkins, McKelvey Endowed Scholarship, Doris and Henry Plant Memorial Endowed Scholarship and The David E. Roberts Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

All seniors in the Dallas and Wilcox County that are planning to attend The University of Alabama are eligible to apply. The club has provided financial assistance to several students over the years.

“The scholarships will hopefully make it easier on students during their freshman year,” Leet said. “They can focus more on their studies and not a financial burden.”