ENID, OK - The Junior Welfare League of Enid met for their April meeting on April 5th to disperse the funds raised from the December Charity Gala to the designated beneficiaries and to award the recipients of the Gentry Neal Scholarship Fund.
The ladies of Junior Welfare League hosted “A Night of Hope” Charity Gala in December of 2020 and were able to raise $111,204.00 allowing them to give back $56,887.16 to the community in which they serve. RSVP of Enid is a Senior hunger relief program that relieves the burden of having to decide whether to pay their bills or eat. Christy Baker, Executive Director, was present to accept the donation of $10,000.00 to RSVP. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Inc. provides emergency financial assistance, case management, and counseling in Oklahoma. Patrick Raglow, Executive Director, was present to accept a donation of $5,000.00.
The final donation was presented to the Return Engagement Chair, Kendall Conger, for an amount of $31,887.00. All proceeds raised from the consignment store, Return Engagement, are invested back into the community to help those in need. The store is managed entirely by volunteers with several hourly store attendants to operate during business hours.
The $1,000.00 Gentry-Neal Scholarship for Volunteerism is given to one high school senior, having at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who attends a high school in Garfield County, exhibits a commitment to volunteerism, and must enroll and attend full-time at an accredited college, university or technical school. The Scholarship committee met in March and decided to give two very deserving young philanthropists each a $1,250.00 scholarship in honor of their vast achievements in and out of the classroom.
Gracie Holder is the first of two local area high school students selected to receive the Gentry-Neal Scholarship. Gracie is a graduating senior from Chisholm High School and is still deciding on the many college acceptances she has received. Gracie has elevated herself above her peers both in and out of the classroom. Her academic achievements are impressive, but it is her work in the community that is inspiring. Her efforts in the community such as Loaves and Fishes, the Oklahoma Blood Institute, the Salvation Army, and tutoring fellow students are just a few of the many ways Gracie has made an impact.
The second scholarship recipient is Brian Higbee. Brian is a high school senior at Enid High School. He will be attending Brigham Young University in the fall. Brian’s many leadership positions, volunteer endeavors, and high academic achievements made Brian an excellent choice to receive such an honor as the Gentry-Neal Scholarship. He has served Enid and the surrounding communities well during his high school career spending numerous hours in volunteer service programs such as Loaves and Fishes, the Food Bank of Oklahoma, and the City of Enid’s “Keep the Community Clean” project.
The Junior Welfare League of Enid strives to make a positive impact in the Enid community through promoting volunteerism, education, and leadership. These donations and scholarship awards demonstrate many of the efforts these women have put forth this league year. The Junior Welfare League thanks you for your support to spread hope in the community.
PHOTO: Kendall Conger Return Engagement
