Rotary Club members prepping the famous collard greens at a past New Year’s Day fundraising meal.
ELKIN — The Yadkin Valley Rotary Club has had an 18-year tradition of serving the traditional New Year’s Day meal as one of its annual fundraisers. The 2021 luncheon was cancelled but the tradition will resume on New Year’s Day 2022 with a drive-thru meal at First United Methodist Church in Elkin. The $10 per plate ticketed event will go to support the Club’s scholarship fund which benefits area students.
Each year the Rotary Club provides $1,000 scholarships to one student each from Elkin, Starmount and East Wilkes high schools.
Students applying for the scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to service in the community.
Rotary President Sherry Berman said, “it’s a wonderful expression of community support from these kids who give their time.”
“They see a need and they go out and do something about it. To watch them be so involved and so aware, it’s very inspiring,” Berman said.
The meal includes the traditional new year good luck foods including country ham, collard greens, black eyed peas and cornbread.
The local tradition of the New Year’s Day meal fundraiser first began as a fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and was taken over 18 years ago by the Rotary Club. Big Brothers, Big Sisters volunteer Omegia Seaford’s collard greens continues to be served.
“The recipe is famous and highly coveted,” said Rotary Club Member Holly Lamm. “It is a classical favorite around here and it’s been kept secret,” Lamm said.
The Club also offers individual orders of just the collard greens for $5 each.
Rotary Club members said they are excited for the return of the event this year.
“The main thing is that it is an opportunity through fellowship of the community that we can provide scholarships for young people to extend their educational opportunities,” said Ron Ashman.
Tickets may be purchased from Rotary members or at the door the day of the meal. The meal will be offered in the drive-thru at First United Methodist Church on Hawthorne Rd in Elkin from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2022.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-258-4035 or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @news_shewrote.
