Rotary welcomes scholarship benefactors

How many people want to help a deserving young person with college expenses but are unsure how to go about it? That is a question Ramona Rotary Club Scholarship Committee Chairman Chuck LeMenager and committee members ask as they plan for scholarships that will be given to college-bound students this year.

Persons joining the club’s efforts as scholarship benefactors will add to the amount Rotary can award.

Ramona Rotary Club has been sponsoring college scholarships for local high school graduates for more than 15 years. Those moneys come from the club’s charitable foundation, funded by club members. Much of that comes from club events supported by the community.

The foundation qualifies as a 501(c) tax-exempt organization that allows income tax deductions.

The club receives more than 60 applications each year from highly qualified students for their $500 to $1,000 awards but can only afford to grant 10 to 15 scholarships. Choosing those few is a tough job and the scholarship committee always wishes it didn’t have to turn anyone down, said LeMenager.

Ramona Rotary invites non-club benefactors to join the program. There are no overhead expenses. Club volunteers do all the work of coordinating with the school counselors, recruiting and screening applicants—100 percent of the scholarship fund goes directly to the students.

Rotary does not allow relatives of club members to apply.

Anyone who wishes to participate as an associate benefactor may call LeMenager at 789-4177.