Rotarians Raise More Than $50,000 For Scholarships

(L to R) $2,000 sponsors of the Rotary Golf Classic include Andrea Martin of Quality Therapy Services, Linwood Byrd of Byrd Surveying, Carlton Pernell of Carrier/Pernell Inc., and Tad Deaton of RBC Centura. Proceeds will fund scholarships.

The Rotary Club of Central Johnston County has raised more than $50,000 for scholarships in advance of the club’s 18th annual Rotary Golf Classic scheduled this weekend. Half of the proceeds will fund scholarships for graduating seniors at each of Johnston County ’s six high schools. The other half will fund scholarships for students of all ages attending Johnston Community College . This year’s fund-raising campaign is a major expansion of the club’s previous efforts. Over the past 17 years, more than $200,000 had been raised for scholarships – an average of almost $12,000 annually. Most of that money was used for scholarships awarded high-school seniors. Under the leadership of Golf Classic Chairman Linwood Byrd, the Rotary Club decided this year to stretch the fund-raising drive to a higher goal and include Community College scholarships. Four Oaks Bank gave this year’s campaign an early boost by committing $10,000 as the Golf Classic’s “Title Sponsor.” Five other firms are donating $2,000 each as “Co-Sponsors.” They are Byrd Surveying, First Citizens Bank, Carrier/Pernell Inc., RBC Centura, and Quality Therapy Services. Another 18 contributors are putting up $1,000 apiece as “Platinum” sponsors. In celebration of the campaign’s success, Central Johnston ’s Rotary Golf Classic will be played on Friday, April 27 at the Country Club of Johnston County with a full field of more than 30 four-member teams of golfers. An opening ceremony to thank the scholarship sponsors will be held at noon near the golf course’s first tee.