The Exchange Club of Augusta hosted its Annual Donation Luncheon at the Augusta Country Club, Thursday afternoon, welcoming local sponsors to announce its community contributions for the year.
After an introduction and invocation by Exchange Club president Steven Farmer, Mayor Garnett Johnson gave a presentation summarizing the 100-year history of the organization, including its launching of what is now the Georgia Carolina State Fair, and declared June 8, 2023 “Augusta Exchange Club Day.”
Farmer announced that the club has set aside $100,000 for a scholarship fund to Augusta Technical College, named for long-time member George Perkins, who was presented a plaque in his honor for “65 years of service.”
With funds raised through fair ticket sales and the club’s Augusta Charity Classic golf tournament, the club distributed some $200,000 in donations to more than 20 local organizations, ministries and non-profits this year, including the Augusta Boxing Club, Bridge Ministry of the CSRA, the Center for New Beginnings, and Child Enrichment, Inc.
The recipient of the event’s final honor, the Ronnie Strength Award, named for the former Richmond County Sheriff, is selected by the sheriff each year. In Thursday’s ceremony, Strength accompanied Sheriff Richard Roundtree in presenting the award to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, for their “work in sporting community…increasing faith and ministering to those inside… teaching core values of integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
