As the cafeteria at Sunset Avenue begins to smell of succulent shrimp, community members will have a chance to help support one of the area’s non-profit civic groups in their efforts to give back to the community.

The annual Shrimp Fest, organized by the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club, is scheduled to take place Oct. 19, from 5-7 p.m. This annual fundraising helps the organization raise money to use toward various organizations and programs around the county. This is the only fundraising held by the club each year.

According to Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club president Amanda Bradshaw, all funds collected remain in Sampson County.

“These funds are necessary as we work to be able to provide for each of the projects throughout the year,” Bradshaw stressed.

According to the club president, members of the Rotary Club of Clinton-Sampson are very active and the proceeds from this fundraiser will help support the community in many ways. Projects include Back Pack Buddies, United Way of Sampson County, Rotary Youth Leadership, Rotary Cottage Event, The Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the Sampson County Department of Aging, the L.C. Kerr garden project and the new signature Literacy Project that is available to all public school second grade children in the county.

This literacy project provides a story-time experience and reinforces Good Citizen Behavior using the Rotary’s Four-Way test. All classrooms receive one hardbound book Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure and each student will receive their own personal coloring and activity book. The club recently earned the District 7730 Lighthouse Award for the project. This past spring, the Rotarians visited 45 classrooms and reached about 900 students in both local school system.

“All the money you give to Rotary is used locally,” Bradshaw said. “These are some great projects Rotary helps fund.”

This is the 11th year of this fundraiser and proceeds from the event average about $10,000. The ticket includes hot or cold boiled shrimp, hush puppies, cole slaw, corn on the cob and beverage. There is also a drive-thru available for those that prefer to take a plate home.

If you have children, don’t worry, there is something for them too, and it’s free. Bradshaw said complimentary hot dog dinners will be served for the children ages 12, and under and there are various activities, such as pumpkin painting, available to entertain the kids. Children will be able to take their painted pumpkins home. The pumpkin painting activity is also free of charge for children.

The objective of the Rotary Club is to serve other within the community, workplace and the world. Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket and supporting the community, may see a Rotarian or stop at Southeastern Outdoor Products, Sampson Community College, ELC Real Estate, Clinton City Schools office or the Sampson Independent.

The Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club consist of 28 members. Community members are welcome to join. The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, at Ribeyes Steakhouse, 100 Westover Road, Clinton.

Rotary International, a service organization, has 1.2 million members and more than 35,000 clubs.

The literacy program sponsored by the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club is one of the many programs funded through proceeds from Shrimp Fest sales.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Reading.jpgThe literacy program sponsored by the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club is one of the many programs funded through proceeds from Shrimp Fest sales.
Shrimp Fest proceeds benefit community

By Kristy D. Carter

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Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.