Community Engagement
ROTARY GOLF CLASSIC RAISES BIG BUCKS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Our Rotary Golf Classic was launched in 1990 to raise money for college scholarships for deserving students at Johnston County's high schools. The project's initial annual goal was $15,000, but that was tripled in 2007 to include scholarships at Johnston Community College as well as a growing number of local high schools. At that point Four Oaks Bank (today's United Community Bank) increased its yearly contribution to become the event's title sponsor. Subsequently, Chick-fil-A of Smithfield stepped up as a second major sponsor. The event is held each year in April
A BIG THANK-YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF THE 30th ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
TITLE SPONSOR: United Community Bank
PLATINUM: Chick-fil-A of Smithfield
GOLD: J-CATS (Johnston County Area Transit System)
SILVER: Adams BBQ, Ample Storage,
Deacon Jones Auto, Dunn, Dunn & Oakes, CPAs, Eric & Michele Brownlee, Gallery Furniture, Golden Corral, John & Sharon Parrish, Marshall & Associates, Sampson Bladen Lubricants, Smithfield Manor Nursing & Rehab, Sound Station & Security, Sysco, Todd Edwards - Nationwide Insurance
ROTARY FELLOW: Bug Out, John Scovil & Associates, CPA, Jon & Joy Callahan, Martin Tetreault Family Law, Narron & Wenzel, Attorneys, W. Landis Bullock Industrial Supply, Willowrun Veterinary Hospital
ROTARY FRIEND: Angie Gangemi, CPA, Aspect Financial, BB&T, Beth Watson - Coldwell Banker Advantage, Betty Jones, Byrd Surveying, Camel City Posters, Carroll Pharmacy, Chuck Elliott, Don Duggin - Edward Jones, Doris Wallace, Emery D. Ashley, Attorney, Evans Jewelers, Family Media - WMPM/WTSB, Handy Andy Carpets, Hank Booth, Hudson Hardware, Inline FluidPower, Inc., James A. Oldham, DDS, Keith Brinson - Allstate Insurance, Peedin & Sasser, CPAs, Power Secure, Shawn Herrmann - State Farm Insurance, Sleep Inn & Suites, The Wooten Company, Tom Medlin - Allstate Insurance, Town Market, Zaxby's
BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY OF SPONSORS, THE ROTARY CLUB OF CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTY WILL PRESENT SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $25,000 TO HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATES THIS SPRING PLUS ANOTHER $11,000 TO STUDENTS AT JOHNSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
"BELL RINGING" AT CHRISTMASTIME
Every year since Central Johnston's founding, club members have volunteered their time to fill weekend slots between Thanksgiving and Christmas ringing bells for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign.
"FILL THE BUS" FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
In recent years, club members have solicited patrons at Smithfield's Wal-Mart to help "fill the bus" with back-to-school supplies for needy children. It's another program administered by the local Salvation Army.
DELIVERING MEALS TO SHUT-INS
Most every Friday throughout the year, Central Johnston Rotarians deliver hot lunches provided by Community and Senior Services of Johnston County to elderly shut-ins in and around Smithfield.
REACHING OUT TO OUR YOUTH
Interact & Rotaract – Central Johnston Rotary sponsors affiliate clubs for youth at Smithfield-Selma High School, South Johnston High School, and Johnston Community College.
Shadow Day – At least once a year, selected club members allow high-school students to spend a morning observing duties and responsibilities of various professions prior to a Thursday club meeting where students give reports on what they've learned about potential careers.
Boys and Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw – Our club supports the Rotary Cottage with gifts of goods and money as well as annual visits by club members.
Rotarians Against Drugs High School Speech Contest – Central Johnston organizes and hosts this annual competition, inviting contestants from all of Johnston County's high schools.
Rotary Youth Leadership Academy – Our club enables selected high-school students to take part in District 7110's annual RYLA retreat.
ROADSIDE CLEANUP
Four times a year club members don safety vests and head out to clean up litter along roadways in West Smithfield as part of North Carolina's "Adopt A Highway" program.
THREE LITTLE PIGS TRIATHLON
Organized in 2010, this "sprint triathlon" is open to any and all comers, with proceeds shared equally by Central Johnston Rotary and Smithfield Friends of the Parks (the event is based at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center). All told, the annual has drawn more than 3,000 participants and raised more than $60,000 for our club, which provides volunteers to assist with all aspects of the event. Central Johnston Rotary has used these funds to underwrite a variety of community-service projects – a library at the SECU Hospice House, facilities for an "inclusion park" for handicapped children, our Rotarians Against Drugs speech contest for teenagers, to name a few. The event is staged each year in mid-June.
