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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR'S RANDOLPH COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN GALA

Welcome to the IF YOU GIVE 2021 Gala for the Children fundraising and benefit auction presented by Acme-McCrary & Sapona Foundation and Pam Hill, Clerk of Court. Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC) is thrilled to invite you to participate virtually to help raise money to support early literacy and early care and education in Randolph County. The signature event kicks off on August 13 with an online auction. Similar to the in-person silent auction in past events, this online auction will include adventures, experiences, children’s, women’s, men’s, sports, home & garden, restaurants, pottery, and more. The online auction will be open for a week, closing at 5 p.m. on August 20. To register to bid, simply visit https://IFYOUGIVE2021. ggo.bid and click “Get Started.” When the auction opens, registered bidders are able to browse items and swipe down to peruse packages. When a bidder clicks on the package, they will be able to view details, including current bid price and description. Bidders have the option of bidding at the next bid increment, bidding more, or buying the package at the preset “Buy Now” price. On Saturday, August 21, VIP Sponsors will gather in-person at VentureAsheboro, where RhinoLeap Productions will live stream the main event. VIPs will have access to a private silent auction and enjoy a catered meal and networking before the event goes live on YouTube. The live stream begins at 7 p.m., joining online virtual bidders with in-person VIPs for an evening of FUNdraising. Hosted by Gala Chairpersons Nicki and Brian Hill, emcee Wayne Rowe, and celebrity auctioneer Busta Brown, the evening will begin with the IF YOU GIVE fund-a-need auction to raise money for the Susan Harris Helsabeck Scholarship Fund for Early Educators. A live auction will follow. Throughout the broadcast, five Exemplary Volunteers from 2020-2021 will be spotlighted in 30-second video clips. Exemplary Volunteers are honored each year by RPC for their commitment to children and families through generosity of time, skills, and resources. This year’s honorees are Dustie Gregson, owner of The Table Farmhouse Bakery; Lynn Jones, secretary of Kiwanis Club of Asheboro; Beverly Mooney, owner of Millstone Creek Orchards; Delton Shoe, co-owner of C&D Investments; and Jamee Tate, chair of Randolph County Family Engagement & Leadership Coalition. Before the live broadcast ends, one of the five will be named RPC’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year. For more information, visit www.RandolphKids.org or call 336-629-2128.

by Micki Bare

Uwharrie Crystalline Pottery Jug

This crystalline jug by William and Pam Kennedy boasts light nickel, copper, and brown glazes. Dimensions: 20.5" tall and 9 3/4" wide. Valued at $600 Pemmco Custom Fire Pit A customizable fire pit crafted locally at Pemmco Manufacturing, Inc. Valued at $600

Pinewood Country Club Full 1-year membership to Pinewood Country Club, including the initiation fee and monthly dues for 12 months. $150-per-quarter Minimum Dining not included. For new membership only; existing members may not bid. Valued at $9600

SPONSORS

FREE Admission! Great Fun! (Journey Tribute Band) Food Trucks, Drink & Music 6-10pm • Bicentennial Park DEPARTURE 8-10pm Friday, August 6th BMX Show, Streatery, Local Vendors, Children’s Area, & Firetruck Sprinkler! 10am-4pm • Fayetteville St & Sunset Ave Zooland Region 30th Annual Antique Car Show 9am-3pm • Fayetteville St (Registration: 8-10:30am) Saturday, August 7th

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION

Story and Photos by Greta Lint

Efforts are underway to revive the Eastside community of Asheboro. Once you could feel safe walking down the street to visit neighbors and not lock your door. No more. So discussions and events are being held to build a “healthy community.”

Throughout Randolph County, there are people who usually don’t receive public recognition. Instead, their reward comes through quietly helping others.

Members of the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center (GWCCEC), in Asheboro, held a celebration on July 18 to recognize the following with the Community Angel Award: Ernestine Coble, Jane LedwellGant, Bishop Michael Trogdon, Rev. Donald Mathews and Robin Mabry. Pastor Jimmie Surrratt and Jamie Parsons were remembered posthumously.

Coble is a retired licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an 18-year breast cancer survivor. “I love to be around happy people, in fun places and talk about positive things, she said. The bubbly 88-year old has a beautiful soprano voice that she uses in her church choir. She has been known for donating a lot of her garden vegetables. Her husband, James, and she, were instrumental in the creation of Harshaw Missionary Baptist Church, in Randleman and donated property to the GWCCEC.

Ernestine Coble

Ledwell-Gant speaks up. The past president of the local NAACP chapter loves helping others. People share issues with her, knowing she will speak up to direct change. This past general election, she ran for U.S. Senate. The Seagrove High School graduate is the receptionist and hula-hoop instructor at the Randolph County Senior Adults Center. ‘I enjoy being here. I get to know the seniors and hear their stories. They touch your heart,” she said.

Trogden was known for a decade as the face of Our Daily Bread soup kitchen. Not only did he cook, but he organized health fairs, programs to help people get jobs and many community outreach projects. He now stands in his late father’s place in the pulpit of the Kingdom Life Community Church, in Asheboro. “I want our congregation and the area youth to learn how to become part of the fabric of our community and serve it,” he said.

Matthews, a past NAACP president, spearheaded the distribution of 61,250 pounds of food to 50 agencies in central North Carolina this year – which then went to individuals in need. He recruited volunteers from churches and the community to unload two full tractor trailer loads, each week, for months. In Asheboro, that food was distributed from the GWCCEC. The food came through federal covid grants. “I am so thankful we were able to supply food. It was a blessing in disguise,” he said.

Mabry enjoyed mentoring youth and helping them become the next generation of volunteers. “You have to learn how to do it,” she said. “You need someone to show you how to knock on doors and ask for help and money.” Big Bird, as the kids used to call her, was known for helping with the Boys and Girls Club events, producing the Easter Egg Hunt, giving presents to children at Christmas, cooking the Thanksgiving Day dinner and playing games during the Fun Day in the Park, “because it brought people together. We don’t do that anymore and we need to,” the former softball catcher said. Looking back, event organizer Betty Foust said the Jane Ledwell Gant late Surratt was never limited by the church walls. When she saw a need, she dealt with it. She sat with the sick in many hospitals, gave her own money to people who needed it and was a person who made a difference.” Foust added that the late Coble, recognized pianist and organist, repaired heating and air-conditioning equipment for those who couldn’t afford to pay him and drove a school bus in Randleman. “He never seemed to tire,” Foust said. For more information about the honorees and future events, visit the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center on Facebook.

Bishop Michael Trogdon

COMMUNITY NEWS AHS STUDENT SELECTED FOR NCSU PARKS SCHOLARSHIP Story and Photos by Leigh Anna Marbert

On May 5, the Parks Scholarships program at North Carolina State University named 40 students to its Class of 2025. One of those students was Mr. Ferdinand Kelley from Asheboro High School.

Ferdinand “Freddy” Ray Kelley, child of Kathy and JW Kelley of Asheboro, North Carolina. graduated from Asheboro High School on June 3. Prior to graduating, Freddy served as drum major of the AHS Bands, President of Mu Alpha Theta and Jr. Civitan, and Captain of the AHS Swim, Cross Country, and Tennis Teams. While in high school, Freddy also served as the AHS student volunteer recruiter for Randolph County Habitat for Humanity, Science Olympiad team Captain, and was awarded the Catalyst Award from NC School of Science and Math Summer Ventures for his research in developing a triple recombinant vector vaccine for Covid-19. He was first chair All District bassoonist and a DECA state winner.

Voted "Most School Spirit" for their senior class, Freddy plans to major in biochemistry and sociology.

“The talented Park Scholars of the Class of 2025 join a thriving network of more than 1,100 Park Scholars. Throughout North Carolina and around the world, Park Scholars have been applying their Think and Do education to address societal challenges for 25 years,” said Eva Feucht, director of the Park Scholarships program. “At NC State, Park Scholars receive a worldclass education while developing their potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.”

The 26th class of Park Scholars was selected from a pool of more than 2,200 applicants from six countries, 42 states, and 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties on the basis of outstanding achievements and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. A Selection Committee comprising 425 dedicated and accomplished NC State alumni, faculty, and friends conducted application review, interviews, and outreach. The Class of 2025 represents eight U.S. states and 20 North Carolina counties. Its members include accomplished writers and editors, designers and filmmakers, tutors and mentors, athletes and coaches, and musicians and artists. They are dedicated to their communities; their service work includes volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and numerous hospitals, food pantries, nursing homes, and libraries. They have led community health initiatives and organized drives for feminine hygiene products for local schools and suitcases for foster children. They research sustainable solutions to climate change, lead youth mentorship programs, and teach coding to middle school students. They have raised tens of thousands of dollars for causes including

neurological health, childhood cancer, and international service projects. Among this group are a state champion soccer player, a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, a National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar, and a COVID-19 vaccine researcher. The Park Scholarships program develops and supports Park Scholars in scholarship, leadership, service, and character, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the campus, state, nation, and world. The Park Scholarship is a four-year scholarship valued at approximately $112,000 for in-state students and $203,000 for out-of-state students. The program is named for the late Roy H. Park ’31, an NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation which is dedicated to education, media, and the environment. The Park Foundation has committed nearly $150 million to support the scholarship since launching it with an initial grant in 1996. This support includes their 2013 commitment of $50 million to begin a Park Scholarships endowment at NC State. Now, hundreds of alumni, students, families, Selection Committee members, and friends join the Park Foundation in funding the Park Scholarships program. This includes the Desai family, whose innovative gift has made a lasting impact on the Class of 2025. In honor of his late wife, Maya Desai ’71, and their daughter, Park Scholar Anushri Desai ’10, Park parent Vijay Desai ’72 established a new way to support Park Scholars: a one-time, current-use gift to fund one Park Scholarship immediately, resulting in a 40-member strong Park Scholarships Class of 2025. As recipients of one of the most prestigious and comprehensive undergraduate scholarships in the nation, the incoming class of Park Scholars will have access to opportunities for innovative enrichment activities such as grants for undergraduate research and study abroad. Park Scholars have recently received several distinguished national scholarships, including the Churchill Scholarship (Ana Sofia Uzsoy ’21), Goldwater Scholarships (Daniel Haller ’22, Nikhil Milind ’21, Ana Sofia Uzsoy ’21, and Noah Wolfe ’22), Knight-Hennessy Scholarships (Ziad Ali ’19 and Madison Maloney ’19), the Marshall Scholarship (Kobi Felton ’18), National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (Nikhil Milind ’21, Ana Sofia Uzsoy ’21, Ziad Ali ’19, Charlotte DeVol ’19, and Madison Maloney ’19), Payne Fellowship (Naila Segule ’20), and the Truman Scholarship (Ashley Lawson ’18). They lead major service initiatives such as the Krispy Kreme Challenge, which has donated more than $1.9 million to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, and Service Raleigh, a partnership with the Goodnight Scholars Program that leads hundreds of volunteers in an annual citywide day of service.

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