CFSSP Newsletter - September 2026
- 19 minutes ago
- 3 min read
CFSSP: So Many Donation Opportunities! Can We Count You In?
As this year’s Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program (CFSSP) approaches our
festive annual Celebration of Education Gala on September 17, we have a lot to
celebrate and hope you will join us. We also have quite a few more opportunities to
contribute to our 2026 goal of $300,000!
The 39th Annual Golf Tournament on August 20 and 21 concluded with a grand total of
$9,832! Thank you to the many players who made it a successful event for the benefit of
our Transylvania County students. Special thanks to our golf sponsors: Title sponsor
Jennifer Merrill, Remax, Paul Worley Construction & Remodeling, and Looking Glass
Realty WNC, who all together donated a total of $13,000 to the CFSSP! We couldn’t do
it without you!
According to “Sparky,” our newly-named white squirrel perching in the Clubhouse, the grand total of funds raised thus far stands at $175,000.
Karen Dee, who submitted the name because the scholarship funds “spark” so many young people forward, won a $100 gift certificate to the Clubhouse Grill.
Thanks to the many who submitted potential names – there were lots of great ones and the competition was stiff!
Want to know more about the impact of the Scholarship Program? In 2025, of the
$266,000 raised, the CFSSP awarded a total of $257,000 in scholarships to 57
Transylvania County students!
$153,000 to 25 students in Transylvania County Schools (Brevard High School,
Rosman High School, Davidson River School. See photo below.)
$51,000 to 18 students at Blue Ridge Community College
$51,000 to 14 students at Brevard College
$2,000 to UNC-Charlotte for CFPOA Employee Scholarship winner Gavin Nelkie
PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES and join us during the many upcoming
opportunities to support the Scholarship Program, which helps Transylvania County
high school and college students further their education.
Future fundraiser events include
Sept. 10 CF Women’s Club Bingo
Sept. 12 Newbie & Neighbors “Bee Bazaar”
Sept. 11-12 Connestee Falls Tennis Tournament
Sept. 17 CFSSP Celebration of Education Donor Gala
Sept. 25-17 15th Annual Pickleball Tournament
Sept. 26 Signature Home Expo at Lake Atagahi, sponsored by
Looking Glass Realty and Connestee Falls Realty
This year, the CFSSP and the Connestee Falls Fishing Club are partnering to
sponsor the 11th Annual Wine Raffle, proceeds from which will fund a scholarship for a student entering a field preferably related to the environment, conservation, ecology, veterinary, or similar field of study.
Raffle tickets are 3/$10 or 7/$20. First prize is 36 bottles of wine; 2nd is 24 bottles; 3rd is 12 bottles. The drawing will be held during the Gala.
To order, visit https://www.cffishclub.org/wine-raffle-restored-form/ or scan the QR code below:
Speaking of the Celebration of Education Gala on September 17th, don’t miss it!
You’ll have a chance to meet some of our scholarship recipients in person and through
videos, and learn about how your support of the program is helping them achieve their
dreams. There’s great entertainment, delicious treats, and always an incredible silent
auction featuring contributions by local merchants and generous Connestee Falls artists
and crafts people. In fact, the auction “sneak peek” will take place in the Cherokee
Room Sept. 14-16, so you’ll have a chance to plan your bidding! Hours are Monday,
Sept. 14, 9am – noon; Tuesday, Sept. 15 & Wednesday, Sept. 16, 3pm-6pm.
Thanks to Board Member Nancy Anderson, we now have a Facebook page so you
can keep up with everything CFSSP! Find and follow us at Connestee Falls Student
Scholarship Program:
Most importantly, individual donations are the backbone of the Scholarship
Program, comprising around 70% of each year’s contributions. If you haven’t yet
donated, please consider it. You can also donate from your retirement fund. Learn
everything about the CFSSP, scholarship winners, donors, and volunteers (and find that
all-important donor form!) at our website, https://www.cfscholarships.org/.
Our progress in the past 39 years is a direct reflection of the incredible heart
within this community. From the personal generosity and steadfast commitment of
our resident donors, clubs and sports groups, Connestee Falls has built a legacy in
Transylvania County. That legacy is a better life through education for our extraordinary
students who have financial need and merit. Thank you!
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