Smithfield -- The Rotary Club of Central Johnston County has donated $23,000 to the Johnston Community College Foundation. The second annual gift represents half of the club’s proceeds from its charity golf tournament held in April to raise money for scholarships. The remaining half is donated to Johnston County Schools for scholarship funds, according to the college's news release.

“Our club began the Golf Classic 19 years ago and has raised more than $300,000 in scholarships for the county high schools and JCC,” said Joy Callahan, who chaired the 2008 golf committee and is current president of the club. “Our members feel that investing in the education opportunities of our community is one of the best ways to ensure growth and leadership in our county in the future.”

Twyla Wells, executive director of the College Foundation, thanked the club for its dedication and support to the college and its programs.

“The commitment of the Rotary Club of Central Johnston County to Johnston Community College’s students and the college in general is a role model for other civic organizations,” Wells said. “Solely administered by volunteers, the Rotary Club of Johnston County engages the community in making an immediate difference in the lives of the college’s students."