In all, the the fundraiser — Benefiting the Children of Halifax County — raised $10,000 which the different organizations will use as seed money for projects or simply to add to their budgets, the benefactors said today as Tripp distributed their checks.
The fundraiser, in which two bands performed, shattered the record of the last benefit, Tripp said, where $8,500 was raised.
“What made it happen was the sponsors,” the sheriff said, prior to handing out the checks. “We sold tickets at the door, but the sponsors are what made this a success.”
In a statement the sheriff said, “There’s much gratitude to our many supporters and sponsors of Benefiting the Children of Halifax County.”
This year the fundraiser helped Boys & Girls Club of Halifax County; Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Association; St. Gideon Baptist Church; Trinity Outreach Ministries and Project Graduation.
Shannon Polk of Trinity said the funds will be used for operating expenses. “We operate on donations and work,” she said, Tripp explaining the organization doesn’t receive grant funding.
For Tarshal Lynch of St. Gideon in Hollister, the funds will help go toward renovation of its playground, which serves a daycare the church has been running for 20 years.
Project Graduation, an evening for graduating seniors at Roanoke Rapids High School, is currently raising funds for its June event, said Cindy White. “We do fundraising up until the event.”
For the baseball association, which has been in existence since 1969 and serves more than 250 children the proceeds will help continue enhancements at Ledgerwood Field to bring in more tournaments.
The projects include a brick backstop at Dickens Field and sodding at Jaycee Field, Todd Lockamon said.
Lockamon said the association is open for children across the county and can help schools in the county either improve the baseball talent they have or bring baseball to their schools.
For the Boys & Girls Club, said Kim Taresco, the money will help with basic programming and the purchase of two basketball goals. “It will help keep programming going and help us offer prize incentives for homework.”
Despite a recent merger, the money raised from the sheriff’s event will stay in the county, Taresco said. “We’re extremely happy and pleased. It’s a wonderful thing the sheriff is doing for all of us.”
Tripp also confirmed the money given to the Boys & Girls club will stay in the county. “There’s a special place in my heart for the Boys & Girls Club and I’m grateful for Roanoke Rapids High School. It’s all about the children. That’s what it’s all about.”
Meanwhile, the sheriff has already set his next Benefiting the Children of Halifax County event, which will be April 22 at the American Legion.
This will be a seafood festival with bands and the focus will be raising funds for the recreation needs of children across the county.
There is a movement to obtain the old Brawley school building and a partnership being ironed between the county and Medoc Mountain State Park, Tripp said. “We’re looking to expand the seafood festival and hoping to sell 1,000 tickets.”