Ponderay Rotary seeking scholarship donations

Ponderay Rotary Club’s annual Scholarship Drive is set to end on April 15.

However, the club is just $5,000 short of its $16,000 goal and is hoping the community can help.

"By donating, you can inspire, influence, and encourage this community’s upcoming leaders, innovators, and dreamers and help ensure the community will flourish in the future," Kari Saccomanno, club treasurer and president-elect, said.

Last year, the club gave out more than $26,000. This drive is only a small piece of the club’s fundraising initiatives for its scholarship program. Over the past 16 years, the Ponderay Centennial Rotary Club has distributed over $168,000 in scholarships to local graduating seniors and residents continuing their education. Club scholarships are not limited; they can be used for a variety of educational purposes: college, trade school, beauty school, and the list goes on.

“We are trying to help close the gap between cost and the ability to get an education for local students. We want to ensure greater social mobility for future generations, and to encourage these students to do the same for others later,” Saccomanno said.

So far this year’s sponsors include Avista, Ting, 219 Lounge, Sandpoint Furniture/Carpet One, Paradise Construction, Kochava, In and Out Painting, Columbia Bank/Umpqua in Ponderay, The Shenks, Sandpoint Super Drug, Washington Trust Bank, Mother Lode Holding Co., Diane Brockway, Tango, and Sharon’s Hallmark.

Any donation or sponsorship is appreciated. The club’s sponsor levels and benefits can be found on its website at PonderayRotaryClub.com.

Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 813, Ponderay, ID 83852. Donations can also be by credit card through the club’s website, PonderayRotaryClub.com. The drive ends on April 15, 2023.