VALDOSTA — The Rotary Club of Valdosta said their Green Egg Raffle was a resounding success, raising funds for the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA), Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP), and Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust (CART).

VECA received $3,400 to purchase school uniforms, giving 48 sixth graders a new shirt and fleece jacket, the club said in a press release this week.

Rotarian Sandra D.S. Jones pointed out that this tangible impact will boost a student’s self-esteem and academic performance.

“When students feel good about themselves, they tend to do better in school. We all like to wear new clothes, and it makes you feel special,” said Jones, who organized the raffle. “I am very passionate about these projects. They allow me to give back to our community. It is what Rotary is all about, and that is ‘Service Above Self.’”

“The generous Valdosta Rotary Club grant ensures that all incoming sixth-grader scholars will receive their first uniform shirt and jacket for the upcoming school year,” said Dr. C. Alex Alvarez, VECA principal. “VECA’s uniform initiative supports our college preparatory mission and provides a safe and academically focused culture and climate for our scholars in grades 6-12.”

Alvarez explained that VECA’s vision is to allow scholars to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to succeed in high school, college, and the future in a global society.

“Community partnerships such as this with the Valdosta Rotary Club have allowed VECA to be consistently successful for the past 16 years,” he said. “During this time, our scholars have earned over 3,200 dual-enrollment college credits at Valdosta State University.”

The Georgia Rotary Student Program and Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust each received $914.14.

Established in 1946, the Georgia Rotary Student Program offers scholarships to international students, covering tuition, book allowance, meals, and residence hall costs for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities.

In August, the Rotary Club of Valdosta will welcome its 75th GRSP student, who will attend Valdosta State University.

The Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust is a non-profit grassroots organization that funds cutting-edge, high-impact research grants to help find a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Valdosta, please visit www.valdostarotary.org or email rotarylead@gmail.com.