We were dressed and ready to leave for the Fair Barn Saturday when the air became spookily still as a precursor to a tornado -- which, we had been advised by TV stations, was on its way through Moore County.

The tornado warning expired at 5:15, but the atmosphere was still eerie. Moments later, the warning was lifted and we started out for the Barn as rain pummeled us.

We had tickets for the Patriot Pride night and were really looking forward to it. A fundraiser, it involved a silent auction, dinner, a few remarks by Principal Joel County and a live auction after dinner. Outback donated the dinner to the cause, and many other area concerns also contributed generously.

Patriot Pride is a thrust by an ad hoc committee to help make Pinecrest High School a viable competitor in secondary education curricula and activities. It was formed in 2006 by a group of Pinecrest alumni, parents and local leaders, with the intent to generate community involvement and support for the school's academic, athletics and arts programs.

It was formed when the Patriot football program was a horrible mess, with doubts about its continuance. Every game was a losing proposition. Football at Pinecrest was strictly a social gathering for students, teachers and friends to mingle. We needed a new karma to rescue Pinecrest football and make it a true athletic event.

This is when we learned that people make the difference. A gridiron angel dropped Coach Chris Metzger on the scene, and half the personnel problem was solved. After a short time on the job, Coach Metzger had inspired a cadre of football candidates to join his team and be part of a new face of Pinecrest football, removing the rear-view mirror of past debacles. His keen interest in kids was not just for football but for life. His principles extend beyond the gridiron.

When Pinecrest kids saw his dedication and legitimate interest in their welfare, on and off the field, they responded. More students came out for football than any years prior because of Coach Metzger's motivation. Metzger created a disciplined program of readiness, offering kids a "Breakfast of Champions" format, with workouts at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast in the cafeteria.

To see an individual transform a whole school is an amazing thing. Coach Chris now has the attention of all Pinecrest students and faculty because of his charisma and genuine belief in his clientele. The gridiron Pats won three games last year, a record for them despite the fact that one win was a forfeit.

But Patriot Pride extends beyond the athletic fields. Several needs at the school go wanting because they are not within the formal budget.

Patriot Pride, in its infancy, created a "slush fund" of over $100,000 to address school expenses not covered by budgeted funds. Examples include providing flash drives (little devices that act as back-up drives for a computer, or additional memory) for all teachers; support to the debate team and choral studies; help with tables for AP/IB required testing; teaching aids for English class; campus beautification projects; support for the Pinecrest Alumni Association; computer projectors for the English department; teaching headphones for world history classes; matching grant for repairs to school marquee on U.S. 15-501; lockers in the field house; help with locker room repairs for basketball and soccer; and help with refurbishing food labs.

Every teacher, coach, organization and staff member associated with the school will be given a Grant Request Form which, upon completion and submission to Patriot Pride, qualifies that person or group for consideration to share Patriot Pride income. The amount of money that Patriot Pride has to give is directly related to how much money is made at the auction and dinner.

A group of community advisers meet with the Patriot Pride Disbursement Committee to consider all grant requests fairly. This group represents diversity, involvement with the school, parents with PHS students in various activities, retired educators and folks who have businesses in the area.

Football and other uniforms are provided by the boosters club and other groups involved.

"The mission of Patriot Pride is to help Pinecrest High School by involving the community," said Principal Joel County. "I asked Patriot Pride organizers to host this event this year, because the one last year was so much fun for everyone involved. The dinner and auction united the businesses, families and supporters of our school, as well as the Pinecrest faculty and staff. This is an opportunity to strengthen those relationships and build new ones."

The Pilot editorial of Dec. 16, 2006, called for wide support of the Patriot Pride initiative. Folks of any persuasion are asked to get involved and invest in our future, the kids of Pinecrest.

Patriot Pride committee members include Dr. David Bruton, Principal County, Allan Beck, Tom Benton, Kent Black, Lisa Hees, the Rev. Dr. Hal Hyde, Dawn Lee, Tim Maples, Martha Owen, Ernie Purnsley, Farrell Rush, Norma Stilwell and Harry Webb.

Anyone wanting more information can contact the school at 692-6554.

The rain at the beginning of the event was so heavy I thought of Noah, and looking up at those huge beams reminded me of the Ark. But such bad weather did not deter the crowd attending. The auctions appeared to be great successes and attendees had a fantastic time at a wonderful event.

Andy Thomas lives in Pinehurst. Contact him at dahtmuth58@aol.com.