Preparations are already under way for Friday night’s fund-raising fish fry for Meredith’s Miracles and Miracle Workers will continue working to prepare enough plates to feed approximately 800 people.

Kiley Spears, coordinator for the Miracle Workers volunteer network, said each plate will contain cheese grits, coleslaw, hush puppies, dessert, a drink and fresh catfish.

“The fish we serve will be extremely fresh,” Spears said. “They are swimming in a pond on Thursday and they will be cooked to place on your plate Friday.”

Each plate will cost $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under. Food will be served Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Spears said that people are encouraged to stop by Southside before Friday night’s high school football games to grab a good meal, but to-go plates are available for anyone with a tight time schedule.

“If people do not want to eat there, then we can make them a plate to go,” she said. “We are trying to encourage people to come by before the ball game, grab some good food and help us to raise money for a terrific cause.”

Tickets for plates can be purchased at Southside the night of the fish fry, but Spears encourages everyone to buy their plates in advance. Advance tickets can be purchased locally at Harold’s Furniture and Flooring, Coldwell Banker First Choice Realty, Powersouth Energy Cooperative, Covington Pediatrics, Loot, Beau Monde and Kim’s Nails.

Meredith’s Miracles will also hold a bake sale during the same time as the fish fry. Patrons will have the opportunity to purchase homemade desserts prepared by local individuals and donated to the organization for the fund-raising bake sale.

June Simpson, a member of the board of directors for Meredith’s Miracles, said that more than $26,000 has been used locally to aid families in need from January to August 2008.

“The goal of Meredith’s Miracles is to help families who have to leave this area to receive sub specialty care that is not available locally with their non-medical related expenses,” Simpson said. “These expenses can be anything from food, car rentals, gas or lodging expenses. All of the money raised from Meredith’s Miracles events goes directly back to the community. We cover a 60-mile radius of Andalusia.”

For more information about Meredith’s Miracles or to become a Miracle Worker visit www.meredithsmiracles.org or e-mail Kiley Spears at kiley@alaweb.com.