Rocky Mount Rotary Club Presents $17,000 to ECC

During a Zoom meeting held September 28, the Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented Edgecombe Community College with $17,000 to support scholarships for local students. ECC representatives who participated in the call included student Emmanuel Agoh, (top left); Dr. Greg McLeod (2nd from top left); Lynwood Roberson (top right); and Dr. Harry Starnes (bottom left).

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented Edgecombe Community College with $17,000 on Monday to support student scholarships.

The presentation took place during a Rotary Zoom meeting, during which Rotary leaders presented $51,000 in scholarship funds to support local students attending Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, and North Carolina Wesleyan College.

The funds were raised through sponsorships and runner fees for Tackle the Tar, a 5K obstacle course race and family fun day sponsored by the Rocky Mount Rotary Club. Tackle the Tar 2020 was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Rotary officials, “When polled, the vast majority of those who had already paid or had committed to a sponsorship allowed us to keep the funds for distribution to the colleges. The fact that we are able to distribute $51,000 to our area colleges is a true testament to what Tackle the Tar means to our community.”

“Despite the cancellation of the event, what you were able to do is absolutely tremendous,” remarked ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod during the Zoom announcement. “These funds provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise be able to attend college, which also benefits their families and our communities. It takes a village to educate a student, and none of the colleges can do it alone. Thank you for your generosity and support.”

Next year’s Tackle the Tar is set for May 15, 2021. Tackle the Tar organizers have set a goal of 1,000 runners.