Rain can't dampen spirit of church hosting community picnic to help fund scholarships

Members of the Community Church of Pine Run have watched their desire to help local students pay for college or other training grow steadily since a group of women launched the program in 2005.

So they weren’t about to let a little rain put a damper on Saturday’s effort to provide seed money for the scholarships with a community picnic featuring a variety of items that were raffled off.

“When I joined this church 11 years ago, one of the ministries that I thought had potential to grow was the scholarship program,” said the Rev. Joshua Strunk, the church’s senior pastor. “The seeds were planted for this program, but I felt there was more we could do to help local students.”

In May, the church awarded five, $1,000 scholarships to area students who demonstrate a commitment to academic achievement along with service to their community.

Saturday’s event was held to raise money for the scholarships that will be awarded next spring.

The scholarship program was launched in 2005 by the church’s women’s ministry, which only had $153 to give away. So they held several small fundraisers to boost the award amount to $500 to help a local high school graduate.

In the ensuing years, the church has raised $60,000 to help 85 graduates pay for their education.

Strunk said his dream is to grow the program so more money can be given to more students each year.

And while the church will continue to look for ways to pay for the scholarships, the pastor is hoping people who have the means will see the value and donate toward the cause.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could someday help a student who wants to study medicine, or follow a career path that requires s significant investment in education?” said Strunk, 45.

“I feel that when the community comes together to help its young people, it increases the chances that they will consider settling in the community when they are done with school,” he said. “Investing in education is an investment in the future of our community.”

Strunk said the scholarships are a small way for the church to show local kids “that we’re behind you, we care about you and want to help you achieve the things you set out do.”

Kylee Hesteth, 27, of Vandergrift, who has helped organize the fundraiser for the past two years said the church is hoping that the community picnic also can serve as a way for more people to know about the scholarship program.

“We really want more kids to apply for them,” she said. “They don’t have to be a member of this church, or only going to college.

“We want people going to community college or trade and technical schools to apply,” she said. “Really, any type of education after high school is eligible, and we encourage students with all sorts of interests to apply.”

Church member Mary Ann Atchison of Penn Hills said the community picnic is not only a nice way for people to gather for some fun, the event is for a worthy cause.

“I think it’s wonderful that the church is looking for ways to meet peoples’ needs,” she said. “Even a little financial assistance helps when a young person is trying to find ways to pay for school.”