COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The newly launched Sunrise Rotary Promise Scholarship Program received a financial boost and exposure to the community, thanks to a fundraising event hosted by the Coldwater Ponderosa restaurant January 14.
The event was coordinated by Trienne Topp, co-owner of the restaurant and Sue Germann, Sunrise Rotary member and member of the Promise Team. Several Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Club members also volunteered their services as “celebrity” hosts and collected donations while assisting the Ponderosa wait staff, including WTVB’s Ken Delaney, who volunteered his time to serve as the event host.
In addition to the direct donations, Ponderosa pledged ten percent of all the dinner proceeds between 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. the night of the event.
The event raised almost $800, and the amount will be doubled as a result of the Keystone Partner Public Match campaign that is now underway.
The Sunrise Promise Scholarship Program was launched this past fall in partnership with the Kellogg Community College Foundation. For the 2019-2020 school year there were 19 scholarships awarded to Branch County residents or graduates of a Branch County high school who are registered in either health care or skilled trade programs.
In total $20,000 of scholarships were awarded, ranging from $500-$2000 to students who demonstrated the financial need. The initial launch of the Promise Scholarship Program was made possible by the support of the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Club and its Foundation.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the Sunrise Rotary Promise Scholarship Program or make a donation to the public match campaign can contact Jon Harpst at king8924@aol.com or (517) 202-7849.
