For nearly half a century, one fundraiser by the Elizabethton Rotary Club has made an impact to organizations near and far that hold a special meaning to individuals.
The Club will host their 46th annual bean dinner on Thursday, April 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the T.A. Dugger Junior High School cafeteria. The cost of proceeds is $5 with funds benefiting a variety of local organizations and TAD.
Each year keeps getting better, according to Rotary Club member and Bean Dinner Chairperson Joe Alexander. No stranger to staying busy, Alexander added the dinner has been one of the more popular fundraisers since its creation by Richard Tetrick.
“I’ve been involved with the Club for around 38 years,” Alexander said. “The dinner was first started as a fundraiser by Richard Tetrick and used to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, the dinner has been used to benefit various charities, including ACS.”
Other organizations that benefit from the dinner include the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County, Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, 4-H, and various scholarships to postsecondary schools in the area, including East Tennessee State University, Northeast State Community College and TCAT – Elizabethton.
A recent partnership between the Rotary Club and TAD has allowed students to get involved with the event, according to Alexander.
“For the last two or three years now, students at T.A. Dugger would sell tickets for the dinner,” he said. “The school would receive $2 from the ticket price and we provide prizes for the top three sellers at the schools. It’s a great time and we appreciate all the assistance from the faculty, staff and students at the school. All the way from Principal Randy Little to Michelle Johnson inside the cafeteria … the custodians … there’s so many to name.”
The Elizabethton Rotary Club is a chapter of Rotary International — which has been around for over 110 years and have geared the mission to address issues at a local and worldwide level.
Along with local charities and TAD, Alexander added some of the proceeds go to worldwide initiatives by Rotary — including the issue of bringing an end to polio.
Carry-outs will also be available during the evening, Alexander said, and corn dogs and chips will be available for children. Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased by contacting a local Rotary Club member.
Alexander added that the Club is always looking at bringing in devoted members of the community wanting to make an impact. Individuals that are looking to take part in the club can either contact Janie McKinney, Elizabethton Rotary Club president, at Citizens Bank or Alexander.
For more information about the event, contact the bean dinner chairperson at (423) 543-2221.