The Fairfield Glade Ladies Club raised over $178,000 to fund scholarships for students at Roane State Community College and other local schools.
Scholarship Committee Chair Colleen Mall said the organization generates these funds through quarterly events and the support of local sponsors. Mall said the program originated with a passionate member named Pam Biggs and has continued to expand in the years following her passing.
“We wanted to be able to provide a possibility or provide the opportunity for people that can earn an education and then stay within our community and give back,” Mall said.
Mall said the club specifically targets students who lack access to traditional financial aid, including those attending TCAT.
“The middle college kids, they don’t have any other scholarship avenues because they’re, it’s just not available yet,” Mall said. “They’re going to high school and Roane State at the same time.”
Mall said the club hosts a variety of annual activities including a fashion show, bake sales, and silent auctions.
“We have the Mistletoe Marketplace which comes up in on the 14th of November,” Mall said. “Then we have of course the organizing of that with all of the vendors.”
Mall said the partnership with the community college supports approximately 15 adult learners and five middle college students every year.
“Scholarship is our highest priority,” Mall said. “This year alone the ladies in the club raised over $52,000 that went to scholarships, but it also went to maybe 20 to 25 organizations.”
Mall said the club also utilizes proceeds from organized travel to support its charitable causes.