On Monday the Rockingham Rotary Club finished distributing the $53,000 dollars that will go back into the community. The club has given out a total of 38 grants.

Mark Colbenson accepted a $1,000 grant for the Richmond Community Theater. It will benefit the summer theater camp.

Colbenson said the program will have more than 30 kids this summer.

“We greatly appreciate the help of the Rotary Club. The theater is so blessed to have the help of the city and the community,” he said.

The funds will be used to lower the entry fees for the program this year.

Debbie Rohleder accepted a $500 grant for a new battery and pallet jack for Our Daily Bread.

“On behalf of those volunteers that work so hard, I do thank you. They do a lot of heavy duty work,” Rohleder said.

Bob McClester of First Presbyterian Church, accepted a $1,250 grant for its “New Shoe Project.” Kids are selected to receive the shoes.

“Penny’s and the shoes store are the places the kids go and are brought there by the school system,” McLester said.

Robert Voorhees chief of the Rockingham Police Department accepted $750 for the Junior Police Academy. This is the sixth summer that the program has been done.

Rick Deese of CrimeStoppers was given $1,000 for their Rotary sponsored car show on May 29. Tommy Haliburton received a $1,000 to replace the air conditioning unit in the main building of the McLaurin Center. Burt Cook accepted $1,000 for the purchase of four new automated external defibrillator (AED) and one AED trainer for the East Rockingham Fire Department.

Kristy Player received a $803 donation on behalf of the Rockingham Fire Department. The money is going towards a new suit for the character “Sparky the Fire Dog.”

Marty Neilson, commander of post 316 AMVETS, accepted $1,000 to transport and service disabled vets. Page Burns (representing 4-H) accepted $1,000 to assist in a summer leadership program-class on Rotary and Laura Daskel accepted $1,000 for the Richmond County Art Council. The funds will be used for this summer’s Saturday Craft Series.

Lisa Ledford received $1,000 to assist in construction cost for Rotary walking trails at the Richmond County Hospice facility. Not in attendance was the American Red Cross who received $500 for books, training DVD, CPR and mannequins and Alan Arnette who received $300 for the Ambassador Program.

Steve Crews, Helping Hands of Hamlet, also known as Backpack Pals, of Richmond County also received funds.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com