The Rotary Club of Bryson City is investing in literacy and local education with a $4,760 donation to Mountain Discovery Charter School to help shape future success for Swain County students.
The donation was presented Thursday, June 4, during the club’s regular meeting at the Historic Calhoun House to Billie Clemens, co-director of Mountain Discovery Charter School, who accepted the check and shared a presentation about the school and its mission.
“We gave $4,760 to support their curricular needs to promote literacy,” said Ted Goshorn, a member of the Rotary Club of Bryson City. “Literacy is an initiative and priority of Rotary International, and our club wants to support local education. We’re excited to see what MDCS does with the funds.”
Goshorn said the donation was made possible through proceeds raised during the club’s annual Firecracker 5K race, held every July 4 in downtown Bryson City.
“This came from funds received through our annual Firecracker 5K,” Goshorn said. “We raise funds and the club allocates those funds for different projects that support the community.”
This year will include a 10K race, along with a 5K.
The Rotary Club directs proceeds from the race toward a variety of community programs, including scholarships, educational grants and disaster-related home repairs for residents in need.
“Funds collected go to support projects in the community, such as scholarships for local students, home repair projects and grants supporting education, such as with MDCS,” Goshorn said. “Our club retains no funds for club support; sponsorships and donations received go directly back to support Bryson City and Swain County.”
Goshorn said Rotary’s focus on literacy reflects the organization’s belief that early educational support creates lifelong opportunities for children.
“Literacy determines so much of success in life,” he said. “Reaching children at a young age, developing their literacy skills, has a direct impact on their success as adults. For years, Rotary has focused on this cause because of that direct link, and we want to support local students’ success.”
In addition to education initiatives, the club has supported local residents recovering from storm damage and established a scholarship fund through Southwestern Community College for Swain County students.
“We have given gifts to local individuals in need of significant home repairs after storms,” Goshorn said. “We also have established a scholarship fund with Southwestern Community College for Swain County residents attending school there.”
Rotary leaders hope the partnership with Mountain Discovery Charter School will become part of a larger countywide literacy effort.
“We hope to support additional schools in the future,” Goshorn said. “We had reached out to each school in the county in the fall and found a willing partner in MDCS. We hope to expand our literacy reach.”
Teachers and school administrators interested in future literacy grant opportunities are encouraged to contact Goshorn at ted.goshorn@edwardjones.com or by phone at 828-488-6098.
This year’s Firecracker race will begin at the Swain County Courthouse, located at 101 Mitchell St. Registration remains open, with the 10K — new this year — beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K beginning at 8 a.m.
Register to run in the 5K or 10K at runsignup.com.
“The main way to support our work is to join us,” Goshorn said. “We meet at 12 p.m. on the first and second Thursday, with socials on the fourth Thursday in the evening.”