Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation North held its 29th annual meeting last month at the Charles Harris Learning Center on the Ben Hill-Irwin campus. Approximately 250 guests filled the banquet room decorated in a Christmas theme. This annual event, given by the Foundation to honor supporters of the college and the Foundation, is held each year to honor and recognize friends of the college. This year’s event was dedicated to Mr. Newt Hudson. We all benefited from his years of tireless efforts in the Georgia legislature. When budgets were cut, he was right there in the midst of the battle to secure all the funding he could get for our local communities. He was respected throughout the state and loved in his local communities. His legacy will continue in our hearts forever.
Entertainment was provided by comedian/ventriloquist Steve Brogan. The Wiregrass Foundation North honored several individuals and received a generous donation from a local organization.
Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation, through its round up program, made a $5,000 dollar donation to the Foundation. The donation will be used to provide scholarships to students on the Coffee campus.
The annual Heritage Award was announced. This award goes to an individual or company who has shown outstanding support to the Foundation. The 2014 Heritage Award is very special and unique. A gift was made and a friend matched that gift. These two individuals define the term of “giving back.” Both are successful business men who love their community. Billy Crider, Jr. and his longtime friend, Frank Hanna (both Coffee County natives) endowed a scholarship to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. The gifts amounted to $50,000 and the scholarships will be designated for students in Coffee County that enroll at Wiregrass.
Mr. Crider is the owner of Crider Poultry, Inc., a poultry processing facility located in Stillmore, Georgia. Mr. Hanna is an entrepreneur and Chairman of Worldwide, Inc. These scholarships will assist students in helping them fulfill their dreams and become productive citizens.
The Friend of the Year award is presented to an individual or individuals who have shown outstanding support to the college through their time, expertise, friendship, and support in many areas. This year Colony Bankcorp was awarded the 2014 Friend of the Year Award. Throughout the years the institution has contributed to the well-being of the college and the Foundation. When called upon they are always ready to contribute money, time and manpower. They direct their support to education, community events, civic service and other areas making our communities better because of caring individuals. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been the recipient of many gifts throughout the years. They have employed Wiregrass students and graduates.
The Foundation awarded the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award to the Fitzgerald Lions Club. The Fitzgerald Lions Club has long been a supporter of the college. Their financial generosity has been very much appreciated. One area that the Fitzgerald Lions Club has helped in is eye care and glasses. This year 12 students have been helped with glasses.
The Foundation also honored Buck and Libby Anderson by endowing a scholarship in their name. Donations to this fund were widespread covering many counties. For over 30 years this couple has been involved with Wiregrass. Their financial contributions have been many. They have hosted many college events at their home and even supplied the college with landscaping plants. During both of the foundation’s major gifts campaign, Buck and Libby made leadership gifts to ensure Wiregrass’ success. They have helped endow many of college’s scholarships. Buck and Libby Anderson are two of the most deserving people to be recognized by the college. They like to make things happen. It doesn’t matter to them who got the credit. Fulfilling dreams and hoping others is what they do.
Individuals interested in contributing to the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation North have several options. Donors may consider establishing a student scholarship designated to a specific program, group of students, or demographic, or give a one-time monetary donation. Name a classroom, volunteer your time, or orchestrate a new project; in the end, your gift, small or large, creates a future for a student who could one day make a difference in the community.
-Submitted by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College