Senator Robbie Morris was the “last man standing” at the conclusion of last Saturday’s Braxton County Rotary Club fund-raising Elimination Dinner held at Braxton County High School. The final two tickets remaining in the hopper were Senator Morris’ and one of 10 tickets purchased by Go-Mart, Inc. Unfortunately, the holder of that ticket was not present, so participants did not have the option to split the $1,000 grand prize. When the final ticket was eliminated, it was only Morris’ remaining.
The Senator donated $250 of the prize money back to the Rotary Club and $250 to Braxton County High Schools FBLA students to help with the cost of their national competition.
In addition to a great meal, and lots of prizes, a near capacity crowd enjoyed an evening of fun and fellowship all while supporting the endeavors of the Braxton County Club.
Long time public servant, Brent Boggs, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. He was assisted by fellow Rotarian Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick.
Just over 440 numbers were drawn from the hopper prior to the final two. The very first ticket drawn was that of local State Farm Insurance Agent Ashley Dangerfield. She received a $25 consolation prize. While the balance of the tickets were being eliminated, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a host of donated items, from local businesses and professionals that were up for bid on the silent auction tables. Numerous attendees also took home cash awards from the 50/50 raffles. The auction produced over $3,000 in additional revenue while $1,200 came from raffles.
The event will fund a minimum of $10,000 in scholarships to local students to help them further their education. With this year’s awards, the Braxton County Rotary Club will surpass $325,000 in donations to local students to aid in the pursuit of their higher education. In addition, the event has allowed the local civic organization to give more than $100,000 to other local charitable organizations and worthwhile causes.
During a break in the action, Tyler Cunningham, Advisor for the BCHS’s FBLA was called to the podium to introduce his students who recently claimed state titles and will be heading to Anaheim, California for the National Competition in June. The group also assisted the Rotary Club and cooks by helping serve the meal. Anita Miller, and her staff of Donna Morris, Lisa Chenoweth and Marjorie Foster were recognized with a flower arrangement and thanked by the Rotary for their outstanding meal.
“We are again overwhelmed with the generosity and support of our community,” said a Rotary spokesperson. “We are particularly grateful to those who purchased tickets and donated items to our auctions. Supporters of the event included: Go-Mart, Singleton Trailer Sales, Advance Auto, Rexroad Supply, Kroger, Walmart, Family Furniture, Interstate Battery, Pizza Hut, Johnny Crocket, Hart’s Pro Hardware. MLA Creations, Legg’s Beauty Salon, Sports Connection, City National Bank, Coen Cookie Company, Judy Collier, Stockert Funeral Home, Keith’s Alignment, Betsy &Doug Cogar, Paws & Claws, Piccadilly’s Flower Shoppe, Wendys, Shoney’s, Fisher Auto Parts, Lockard’s, Inc., Eddie & Sharon Williams, Mid-State Chevy, Luzader’s Restaurant, Burnsville NAPA, Big Al’s Barber Shop, Amy’s House of Hair, Bad Axe Bistro, Cardboard Coliseum, Braxton Newspapers, Sutton Lake Marina, Evan’s Auto, H& H Tires, Stancati’s Restaurant, Sutton NAPA Auto Parts, Mountain Laurel Country Store, West Virginia Bigfoot Museum, People’s Bank, Phyllis Mick, and Braxton County High School.
Editor’s Note: See additional photographic coverage of this year’s Rotary Club Elimination Dinner on Page 9 of this edition.