Ava Woods got up more than two hours early Friday to attend the Lawton Public School Foundation fundraiser breakfast at Golden Corral.

“I usually get up at 7:45,” she said as she entered the building at 5:45 a.m. “I have to be early to everything. I was ready to go.”

Getting up so early earned the Cameron University freshman the distinction of being first in line for the annual fundraiser.

“I had a roommate ask me to come to this since I am an early childhood education major,” Woods said. This was the Walters’ native first time to attend, even though she didn’t quite know what the event was all about.

“I feel anything that helps out with education is good,” she said after being told that the fundraiser helps provide funds for teacher grants. She said she would like to be a kindergarten teacher when she graduates.

Woods’ arrival was followed by that of Michael Tebedo and his father Jeff, both of whom are employed by Classic Cheverlot, which provided the men with tickets.

What brought them out so early?

“Food,” said Michael Tebedo, who is a porter at the car dealership.

“They (his employers) offered and we said yes,” said his father, Jeff Tebedo, who is an automotive technician, adding they had to be at work in an hour.

It was the first time for both men to attend the breakfast, and like Woods, they were not quite sure where the proceeds go.

“It feels good. They need all the help they can get,” Jeff Tebedo said after being told the funds will help educators.

“It makes me feel great,” Michael Tebedo said as he gave two thumbs up.

Lisa Carson, executive director of the Lawton Public School Foundation, said proceeds will help fund teacher grants, which will be announced in November.

“Last year we had $400,000 in requests,” she said. “Every year the requests grow. The success of the fundraiser allows us to fulfill those requests. I know teachers pay for things out of their pockets.They should let us do that.”

Carson told the story of a teacher who has applied for and received several grants in the past. When the teacher received a grant last year, Carson noticed that she had every grant posted in her classroom. The total was about $10,000.

“She said her program was built on those grants. That’s what it’s all about,” Carson said of the work the foundation does.

Carson said the foundation had $30,000 in sponsorships for the breakfast, noting that some employers give tickets to their employees. She said at least two companies, Ford Roofing and Cool It, brought almost their entire staff.

“That’s what I love. It’s a good way to build rapport and support education,” Carson said.

Between 900 to 1,000 people are fed during the three-hour event, Carson said.