Members of the West End community have been working toward an initiative to raise money for a scholarship fund to be named in honor of Chilton County High School alum Charles Slaughter.

That initiative took another step in the right direction as a $1,000 scholarship was introduced to CCHS and will be awarded to a senior student at the end of the year.

Half of the money for the scholarship was raised during the recent “Hoop It Up” basketball tournament, which was played at the CCHS gymnasium, while the school will match the funds raised.

Thomas Jones Sr. started the annual tournament 11 years ago.

According to Jones, the goal of the tournament has always been to bring different communities together and building a better unity through the game of basketball.

In keeping with the tournament’s theme of a tighter knit community, it was a natural fit to have the event be the main fundraiser for the scholarship.

The winning team from this year’s “Hoop It Up” basketball tournament. (Contributed photo)

“I believe if you show respect, you will get loved and respect back,” Jones said. “I enjoy what I do.”

Jones thanked everyone that was instrumental in helping support the tournaments over the years.

According to Jones, the tournaments would not have been a success without the continued support they received from his family and local businesses.

The scholarship will go to a senior who will be going to college and has played basketball.

The goal moving forward is to make the scholarship a yearly occurrence.