‘Denim & Diamonds’ event at John Strait Civic Center
The Rotary Club of Frio County hosted its first ‘Denim & Diamonds’ dance and auction in the John Strait Civic Center in Pearsall on Saturday, October 5, and has raised over $17,000 to date for local student scholarships.
The event was the first organized by new Rotary leadership in conjunction with student members of the Rotary Interact, covering all of Frio County, and benefiting graduating seniors heading into higher education.
The organization is extending its thanks to the city of Pearsall for use of the facility and a number of corporate and local business sponsors who helped provide supplies and offered donations for the cause.
The Rotary Club has previously hosted a three-day auction for which locals donated goods and services, and the event developed over several decades from a televised show to a radio and online fundraiser. This year, the auction was incorporated into a dinner and dance event attended by paying ticket holders.
Donations to the auction included an assortment of valuables, a grandfather clock, locally made products, and services from area businesses.
Donations, event and auction proceeds have gone into the Grady Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund for later disbursement to applicants from Pearsall and Dilley high schools.
Event organizers have reported that over 100 locals supported or volunteered at the event.
Volunteers included approximately 20 Frio County students.
Speakers on Saturday night included Katie Roberts, Scott Hill, Rebekah Mann and Latosha Bright.
Music was provided by Matt Tejeda and The Backwoods Band. A chicken dinner was served by David’s Catering.
Rotary member Scott Hill, responsible for media relations, described the event as a success and said he hopes the community will help the club and the Interact group develop the gala into a greater fundraiser for student scholarships each year.
