See Rock City President & COO Andrew Kean, SRC Director of Operations Jeff Raabe, SRC Special Events Director Kim Jackson, SRC Director of Retail & Admissions Melissa Griggs, SRC Public Relations Manager Meagan Jolley, MaryEllen Locher Foundation (MELF) Scholarship Winner Casey Crump, MELF Scholarship Winner Taylor Mullinax, MELF Administrator Cindy Pare.
Rock City Gardens presented two scholarships to the MaryEllen Locher Foundation from proceeds of the See Rock City Survivor Birdhouse products last season. The two students chosen by MELF are Casey Crump and Taylor Mullinax.
Casey Crump is a native of Dalton, Ga., and a student at Bryan College in Dayton, Tn., majoring in psychology. She is a volleyball player for Bryan and organized the school’s 2011 “Pink Out’’ volleyball fundraiser for MELF. Ms. Crump is a 2011 graduate of Southeast Whitfield High School.
Taylor Mullinax is a native of Chickamauga, Ga., and a student at Dalton State College majoring in business management. She has been a longtime volunteer of MELF and also volunteered at Rock City’s “Rocktoberfest’’ benefitting the foundation. As a child, she knitted hats for Ms. Locher’s “Hats from the Heart” program. Ms. Mullinax is a 2011 graduate of Gordon Lee High School and the daughter of Tim and Denise Mullinax.
“MaryEllen trusted in God’s plans for her, but as a mother, she was concerned for her son Alex and his future,'' said Cindy Pare, foundation administrator. “She wanted to help ease the burden of cancer for other families, and now, we carry on her vision for assisting them. MaryEllen’s heart is felt in every scholarship we are able to award.’’
A portion of the birdhouse proceeds goes to benefit Scenic City Survivors and the MaryEllen Locher Foundation in aiding their efforts for breast cancer awareness, as well as support for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The scholarships help deserving students whose parents have battled breast cancer. Through education, support and advocacy, MELF strives to ensure that women living with a breast cancer diagnosis are not alone on their journey.
Rock City Gardens is committed to this cause and continuing its efforts of partnering with community organizations and maintaining a culture of excellence. Survivor Birdhouses are scheduled to be available for the 2012 season in late September. Visit www.seerockcity.com for more info.