WCC invitational exceeds goal
By Staff Reports
Published in News on August 2, 2017 5:50 AM
The annual Wayne Community College Foundation Scholarship Invitational again exceeded expectations, netting $184,000 that will be used toward student support for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Organizers had set a goal of $180,000 for this year's event.
Over its 25-year history, the invitational golf tournament has generated more than $1.7 million, assisting more than 2,500 students with their educational pursuits.
The live and silent º and golf tournament, which were held in June at Walnut Creek Country Club and Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course, respectively, combined with sponsorships and donations, resulted in the record-breaking take. Last year's tournament brought in more than $176,000.
Credit goes to sponsors and donors as well as the event's organizers and volunteers, said Foundation Executive Director Adrienne Northington. "It takes a village to put this together," she said.
More than 90 businesses and individuals served as sponsors for this year's tournament at six financial levels. Dozens of people and businesses donated items for the auctions that earned more than $24,000. Students and employees at the college provided a volunteer workforce throughout the event.
Jackson and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning was the "invitational sponsor" for the 10th year because the cause is an easy one to support, said co-owner David Jackson. "This is not about us. This is about what we are doing for students," he said.
He added that recruiting other supporters for the event was made easier because it is giving back to the community.
"This is a fantastic event," said WCC President Thomas A. Walker Jr. "I see what the funds do for the lives of our students."
The invitational is the Foundation's largest single source of funds for scholarships. During the last fiscal year, the Foundation awarded 527 scholarships worth $385,265 for tuition, testing fees, books, and tools.
Wooten Oil Company founded the event in 1993 as a way to contribute to a cause that would use all of the money raised locally. Dillon Wooten and his business Wooten Development Company continue to be involved in it.