Byesville Rotary Fund dedicated to providing scholarships for Meadowbrook seniors

Pictured: Dennis Harding, Byesville Rotary President, Maribeth Wright representing Guernsey County Foundation and Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

 

Bell ringers still needed to raise funds for the Christmas Food Basket program. Call Chuck Fair at 685-2069 to schedule a shift. Thanks.

Maribeth Wright representing the Guernsey County Foundation Family of Funds updated club members on the status of the Byesville Rotary Fund. She described that being part of the Guernsey County Foundation Family of Funds benefits everyone.

Wright explained that the Guernsey County Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Guernsey community, both now and for generations to come. This goal complements the Byesville Rotary goal of helping Meadowbrook students get post secondary 2 or 4 year degrees.

Wright explained that the Foundation of Guernsey County is affiliated with the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio (FAO). The FOA provides administrative, investment and IRS services for over 20 local county funds. This collaboration allows Guernsey County Foundation and organizations like Byesville Rotary to concentrate their efforts on raising funds and building their endowments.

Building a foundation is a long-term process. Wright pointed out that many funds begin small and grow slowly through small donations. As an example, Wright described one fund that began with only $3500. The fund now holds $45,000 and has given away over $1.8 million.

The Byesville Rotary makes annual contributions to its fund which is dedicated to providing scholarships to local students. Funds raised by an annual golf tournament are dedicated to the club’s fund. As their fund grows, club members intend to increase the size and number of scholarships awarded each year. Over the past 27 years, Byesville Rotary has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to Meadowbrook and Mid East Buffalo Campus graduating seniors.

Wright encouraged Byesville Rotary members, friends of Byesville Rotary and anyone interested in supporting scholarships for Meadowbrook High School students to visit the Guernsey County Family of Funds website (http://guernseycountyfoundation.org/funds).

Over 20 different local foundations are represented on the site including the Byesville Rotary Fund. Wright pointed out that a secure online donation can be made by selecting the “donate” link associated with each fund.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-260-2969. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283