Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars Phone-a-Thon set for Feb. 11-12

Editor's note: The following is a letter from the 1995 recipient of a Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars scholarship, Jay T. Branneman:

In 1995, I was one of the first recipients of the annual Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. That award has been very beneficial in helping me reach my goals at this point in my life. It gave me a needed boost to move on to attend college and the financial obligation that goes along with all the college expenses.

I went to Purdue University and graduated with a degree in food industry marketing and management. After graduation I was fortunate to get a job as a district manager with ALDI. ALDI is a discount grocery store that is based out of Germany. After being a district manager for three and a half years, I was given the opportunity to become the warehouse director in Webberville, Mich.

Currently I am the director of operations where I oversee seven district managers and 27 stores throughout the state of Michigan.

My wife Lauren and I currently live in Holt, Mich., where we enjoy traveling, spending time with both of our families and taking bike rides.

I am pleased that my donations over the past years have helped Cloverdale High School students pursue their education beyond high school. For some, their goals might not have been possible without the help of this organization.

Jay T. Branneman

Holt, Mich.

Additional information from the organization: The Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars organization has given more than $200,000 in scholarships since that first year. Now the organization has been given a great opportunity to raise money for their fund.

The goal is to build the fund with a Phone-A-Thon to be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 1-4 p.m.

Students from Cloverdale High School, under the supervision of Dollars for Scholars board members and the school administration, will be calling alumni, local residents and parents of both current and former students.

Thanks to matching monies by a local donor and by the Putnam County Community Foundation, any donations raised by the students will be matched. So a donation of $25 by a donor becomes a $75 credit to the Dollars for Scholars. The goal for the Phone-A-Thon is to raise $15,000.

If you wish to receive a call or make a donation, please send an e-mail to: CloverdaleDollarsforScholars@gmail.com with your name and phone number or call 795-5711 ext 1151 and leave a message with your name and phone number.