FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gastonia, NC – February 10, 2025 – The Gastonia East Rotary Club proudly celebrated its annual Day of Giving, awarding $20,000 in community grants to 17 nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving Gaston County. The funding comes directly from sponsorships of the Gastonia Concert Series, a partnership between the Rotary Club and the City of Gastonia.

Since its founding in 1970, the Gastonia East Rotary Club has been committed to service and community enrichment. Through initiatives like the Day of Giving, the club has donated more than $245,000 over the past decade to support organizations that make a real difference.

2025 Grant Recipients

The following organizations received grants this year, supporting programs in education, health, emergency services, and community outreach:

  • Dream Center Academy: Provides mentorship, education, and leadership development for youth.
  • New Hope Baptist Church-Gastonia Street Ministry: Offers meals, shelter, and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • Carolina Caring: Provides hospice and palliative care services to individuals with serious illnesses.
  • Gastonia Firefighters Association: Supports local firefighters and their families through community outreach and assistance programs.
  • Kintegra Health – HealthNet Gaston: Expands access to healthcare services for underserved communities in Gaston County.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston: Offers a safe and supportive environment for young people to reach their full potential through various programs.
  • Bit of Hope Ranch: Provides equine-assisted therapy and educational programs to promote healing and personal growth.
  • Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry: Distributes food and essential items to individuals and families in need within the community.
  • Scouting USA: Offers programs that prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
  • Strong Like AK: Provides financial assistance, free temporary housing during life-saving treatments, and comforting support to those battling pediatric cancer.
  • Conduit Carolinas: Serving Western North Carolina through Collection and Connection.
  • Nita’s Silent Hands: Committed to transforming our world by mending the gap between the hearing and the deaf community.
  • A Safe Place Empowerment Network: Provides support and resources to individuals overcoming substance abuse and addiction.
  • Camp Sunshine: Provides respite, support, joy, and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families from around the world through the various stages of their journeys.
  • Crowders Camps-Outreach: Provide an accessible camp experience that fosters growth mentally, socially, emotionally, and morally.
  • Gaston Literacy Council: Offers programs to improve literacy skills among adults and children in Gaston County.
  • The Woman In Pink: Dedicated to providing free wigs and head coverings in a supportive salon environment to women undergoing cancer treatment.

“The Gastonia East Rotary Club is honored to support these incredible organizations that work tirelessly to uplift our community,” said Jennifer Thomas, Club President. “Our Day of Giving would not be possible without the generosity of our concert series sponsors and the dedication of our club members who believe in ‘Service Above Self.’”

2025 Gastonia Concert Series Announced

The Gastonia Concert Series serves as the primary fundraiser for these grants, and planning is already underway for the 2025 season, featuring an exciting lineup of live music events:

  • May 1 – Spring Fever event with On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute
  • May 29 – Summer Kickoff event with Gabriel Sanchez’ The Prince Experience
  • September 18 – Southern September event with Petty Rewind: Tom Petty Tribute Band
  • October 30 – Monster Mash event at Caromont Health Park, featuring 90s Kids and a family-friendly trick-or-treat event

Local businesses and community members interested in sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 series can learn more at https://gastoniaeastrotary.org/concerts/.

For more information about the Gastonia East Rotary Club and its community initiatives, visit https://gastoniaeastrotary.org.

Contact: Club Public Image Chair, Drew Horine
Email: drew@escapeplanmarketing.com
Phone: 980-285-7782