LANDIS — South Rowan High School’s JROTC program needs some help.
While the United States Army provides their uniforms and classroom materials, the group doesn’t receive support for their busy competition schedule.
“These extracurricular competitions are what make many of our students stay in the program,” said Maj. Bill Lowe.
JROTC helps these students “grow in their own competencies,” he added. “It’s a great way for them to personally grow, not just in ROTC skills, but in personal confidence.”
In the past, the JROTC cadets cleaned the race track for funds, but that opportunity fell through this year.
So, in order to keep opportunities available for those students, South Rowan High School’s JROTC Parent Support Group is hosting a fundraiser Saturday morning in Landis.
From 6 a.m. until 4 p.m., vendors will be set up at 415 W. Ryder Ave. There will be a breakfast, yard sale, bake sale and some games in addition to the vendors.
Organizers also hope to have demonstrations by South Rowan’s JROTC rifle and drill teams.
Vendor spaces can be rented for $10 each.
The group hopes to earn $5,000 for South Rowan’s JROTC. The town of Landis helped jump start the earning with a $500 donation.
The money will enable the students to go to competition by paying for entry fees and bus fees.
“For the most part, all the fundraisers we do are focused toward our competition fund,” Lowe said.
Entry fees run anywhere between $50 and $100, he said.
“For us to go almost anywhere, the cost is going to be between $400 and $500 an event,” he said, and JROTC has to pay gas money for the buses.
Lowe described the competitions as very “physical events.” Some include a road race, ropes and a truck pull. There are also drill and rifle team competitions.
Typically, South Rowan’s JROTC competes in eight to 10 competitions each year, and must continue to do so to keep their standing as an honor unit with distinction.
Lowe said personal growth and confidence are often the products of JROTC competitions.
“That’s why these competitions are so important to us,” he said.