BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Starke Rotary Club held its signature fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, at the Bradford Sportsmen’s Farm.
The Beast Feast featured a wild game menu, raffles, auctions, and the presentation of two Dr. Pete Gianas Memorial Scholarships.
Rotary President John Williams said the event marked the 18th year his club has hosted the feast.
Starke Rotary Club President Elect Amber Shepherd noted that although Rotary funds service projects throughout the world, the Starke club also finances local projects, including pickleball courts at Starke’s Edwards Road Recreational Complex and a pavilion at Bradford County’s boat ramp on Santa Fe Lake.
The two officers presented $1,000 checks to Jacee Smith and Kellsie Cochran, recipients of the club’s Dr. Pete Gianas Memorial Scholarship.
Smith, who attends Northside Christian Academy, plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music worship leadership at the Baptist University of Florida.
Cochran, a Bradford High School senior, intends to study exercise science at Georgia Southern University with aspirations of becoming a physical therapist.
A power outage knocked out lights and sound amplification during the proceedings. However, auctioneer Jeff Johnson continued his work throughout the outage.
Rotary Club members Matt Dyal and Kim Smith also gave away prizes through ticket drawings.
