Jersey Mike’s Supports Scholarships

Jersey Mike’s recently raised $1,380 for scholarships at Edgecombe Community College. From left are Karen Andrus, executive director of the ECC Foundation; Chris Wooten, owner of Jersey Mike’s; and Jersey Mike’s personnel Dequnisha Clark, manager Margaret Clark, and Sarah Wooten.

Jersey Mike’s in Tarboro recently provided Edgecombe Community College students with encouragement and financial assistance toward their efforts to further their education.

Jersey Mike’s owner Chris Wooten and his employees recently held a promotional event that raised $1,380 for the Edgecombe Community College Foundation. The funds will go toward scholarships for ECC students.

Wooten’s business printed special promotional coupons that were distributed at ECC and throughout the community. For every customer who brought in a coupon, Wooten offered a discounted price on a purchase and made a donation to the ECC Foundation.

Wooten feels strongly that giving back to the community is part of being a successful business owner. “We have a few fundraisers throughout the year, and the corporate office of Jersey Mike’s is very active in supporting charities, too,” he says.

Karen Andrus, executive director of the ECC Foundation, says Wooten and his philanthropic spirit are well-known in the community. “He has supported the Foundation for many years, such as sponsoring a team and coupons for the fall golf tournament, but this was something new.”

Andrus explains, “We are in an area where most of our students are struggling financially. They have great dreams and their futures are bright, but sometimes their financial needs can put a shadow on their hard work and educational goals. Thanks to Chris and Jersey Mike’s, we were able to add $1,380 to our coffers.”

The ECC Foundation will award about $100,000 in scholarships this year, an amount that requires a community effort and investment. “It takes the support of individuals, small businesses, and large corporations who understand that the community college benefits Edgecombe County by improving the lives of its residents through education and job training. We help local business and industry employ competent and skilled employees.”

Wooten says he chose to organize the fundraiser for ECC scholarships because he understands how hard it can be for kids to go to college these days. “It can be a challenge to find money to go to college for a lot of people, especially for some of the kids around here. We were all excited to hold the promotion and raise money for scholarships. We were happy to do it,” Wooten assures.

The next fundraiser for the Edgecombe Community College Foundation is a Spring Music Festival that will be held on Saturday, June 10, on the Tarboro campus.