Rotary hoping funds will roll in with Thursday fundraiser
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

A few years ago a group of local residents decided a section of the old Northside Elementary School would make an ideal Wharton County Branch Library. Plans were drawn and fundraising began.

The El Campo Rotary Club, which has its annual fundraiser tomorrow at the Civic Center starting at 5:30 p.m., was key to the completion of the library project.

"They were the icing on the cake, even with the donation of computers there at the end," Beverly Russell, library fundraising chair, said this week.

Besides raising money for the library ... which eventually totaled more than $75,000 in cash, computers and services ... Rotary's involvement helped to get the word out about the library.

"With that many people being knowledgeable of our fundraising project, it helped to spread the word throughout the community," Russell said.

"Rotary always takes an initiative on projects in the community. It seems when they endorse it, it's going to be a success.

"I can't say enough about their involvement. With that many people behind us (the library) it really just pushed us over the edge as far as reaching our goal. It is so inspirational now. That library provides such good services for so many," Russell said.

"I'll be anxious to see what Rotary will get behind next (after the Aquatic Center is paid for). It's always fun to see."

Rotary's charity goes only as far as public support allows. Dollars raised by the sale of $100 raffle tickets, seafood dinner tickets, live and silent auctions and a $5 bait bucket raffle all go toward the club's many projects. The live auction starts at 6 p.m.

"We still owe about $60,000 on the Aquatic Center," Russell Rasmussen, Rotary fundraiser chairman this year, said. "We really want to get the pool paid for so we can see where else we can help out. There are a couple of organizations in town that have started projects, and we'd like to help them out as soon as we pay off our note at the bank," he said.

The public can help Rotarians do that by supporting tomorrow's big event.

"We know it's Spring Break, and Holy Thursday with Easter being early this year, but we have faith that the community will support us," Rasmussen said.

The cornerstone of the Rotary fundraiser is the sale of $100 raffle tickets. Any Rotarian should be able to get hold of a ticket. Or they can be obtained at the Leader-News (543-3363) the Chamber of Commerce (543-2713) or Herrmann and Associates (543-2821). Unsold tickets will be available at the Civic Center tonight (Wednesday) while the Main Hall is being set up, or during Thursday's Rotary meeting at the Civic Center from noon to 1 p.m. or afterwards.

The holder of the winning ticket will receive a gift card valued at $20,000. Second place is a $3,000 card and third is a $2,000 card.

The seafood dinner will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Take-home plates are available, but those who eat in can enjoy a cold beer, margaritas, iced tea and soft drinks with their meal.

Tickets are $8.50 each. They are available from Rotarians and at the door.

Dick Chomout says the catfish filets will be ready for frying Thursday, and Paul Phillips reports his popular shrimp étoufée is again on the menu, along with cole slaw that has been marinating since Monday night.

Members of the ECHS Interact Club and Red Wave Swim Team will help sell $5 raffle tickets and assist with the takehome plate line. At least 30 students have signed up to help.

Rasmussen said that despite most funds going toward the pool project right now, Rotary has not pulled support from its previous commitments.

The club also supports ECHS Academic Booster Club scholarships, the Boys & Girls Club of El Campo, Texas Scholars Program, Reading Is Fundamental, Wharton County Youth Fair, El Campo Little League, Project Graduation, Teacher Appreciation Banquet, International Youth Exchange and participates in Rotary International's effort to eliminate the world of polio. Other projects not budgeted for are also supported throughout the year.