Gastonia East Rotary Club will award $9,500 in grants to local community organizations in Gaston County. The presentation will be made during the club’s annual “Day of Giving” on January 31, 2022.
The 11 grant recipients were chosen because of their potential to impact the lives of Gaston County residents now and in the future. The list includes 8 organizations the club has supported in the past, plus 3 first-time recipients.
Funding for the grants is raised each year from the Summer Concert Series in downtown Gastonia.
The recipients for this year’s grants are:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Gaston
- Highland School of Technology*
- Strong Like AK*
- United Way of Gaston County
- Gaston Dance Theater
- Carolina Caring
- The Woman in Pink
- Dream Center Academy*
- Bit of Hope Ranch
- Are You Smarter Than a Gaston County 5th-Grader
- Boy Scouts of America, Piedmont Council
*Denotes first-time recipient.
In addition to the grants presented this month, Gastonia East Rotary contributes to other community-focused initiatives throughout the year. These include a benefit for the United Way of Gaston County, the annual First Responders Luncheon on 9/11, supporting Gastonia Parks & Recreation, and scholarships to Gaston College.
Gastonia East Rotary Club was founded in 1970 with the motto, “Service above self.” The club meets Mondays at noon for lunch and a community-focused program at the Gastonia Conference Center, except on holidays. The cost is free for Rotary members and $14 for guests.
Drew Horine is the founder and CEO of Escape Plan Marketing. He enjoys running, playing guitar, and traveling with his wife and two kids.
