Southport wins $1,000 in Beck Service Center’s challenge

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE On hand for the check presentation were (from left) Pete Hubert, Southport athletic director; Ben Stallings, president of Beck Service Center; his son, Ray; and Brian Knight, Southport principal.

Beck Service Center, which for years has provided free oil changes to teachers and staff members of Perry Township Schools, donated $1,000 to Southport High School’s Athletic Department during halftime of Friday’s boys basketball game between the Cardinals and Franklin Central. 
The contribution stems from the center’s promotion challenge between Perry Meridian, Roncalli and Southport high schools. The contest – held in the fall and in conjunction with The Southsider Voice – tracked the number of coupons from the paper that customers redeemed at the center. 
At the time of redemption, customers indicated which school they supported, and Southport came out with the most backers.

For years the company – a full-service auto repair shop – has donated free oil changes to the teachers and staff of Perry Schools.
  
The program started about 15 years ago when Ben Stallings, president of Beck Service Center, presented certificates to Roncalli teachers during Catholic Schools Week.

The initiative escalated when he added Jeremiah Gray Elementary 14 years ago. Since then one or two schools have been added every year, culminating earlier this school year when more than 1,300 certificates valued at over $50,000 were distributed.
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Stallings said both programs are great ways to give back to the community.