ORW Founders Day supports community
Contributed photo. Mayor Joe Landry (center right) gives Barbers Hill High School graduates their scholarships at last year's Old River-Winfree Founders Day.
Contributed photo. Mayor Joe Landry (center right) gives Barbers Hill High School graduates their scholarships at last year's Old River-Winfree Founders Day.
Contributed photo. Mayor Joe Landry (center) gives a $15,000 donation to the Chambers County Veterans’ Association.
OLD RIVER-WINFREE— Organizers of Old River-Winfree Founders Day are celebrating the mission of the annual event as they prepare for the 2025 celebration later this year.
The free family event celebrates history while raising money for the Chambers County Veterans’ Association and Barbers Hill Independent School District.
Last year’s Founders Day generated $37,500 for the two causes, according to a press release from the office of ORW Mayor Joe Landry.
In December of 2024, $15,000 was given to the CCVA, an organization that assists and supports veterans in many ways. CCVA focuses on veterans within Chambers County, offering many resources and services to ensure veterans receive the care, attention and support they need.
A record total of $22,500 in scholarships was awarded to BHISD seniors. The scholarship is given in honor of Boyce Morris, an Army veteran and ORW Founders Day historian.
According to the release, applicants were so deserving that the board decided to use funds from the Founders Day account and extend the 10% amount raised from auctions.
“The ORW Founders Day committee is proud to use these funds to invest in these well-deserved BH seniors’ futures,” the release read.
The $2,000 scholarship recipients included Caleb Castleberry, Caden Deakle, Landen Guarnere, Kadyn Kirby, Bridger Thomas and Lexy Workman. Karlee Swinford was the recipient of the $1,500 scholarship.
The $1,000 scholarship recipients included Olivia Burwell, Kaylin Conway, Kailyn McDaniel, Victoria Novak, Nicholas Real, Trista Sparks and Kaden Tyler.
To qualify for the scholarship, senior applicants must have an immediate family member who served in the military, past or present, write an essay on the importance of serving the county, and report on any community service hours completed.
The donations and scholarships were made possible by the generosity of the Chambers County community, businesses large and small, bakers, and our elected officials by stepping up with their donations, contributions, bids, participation and attendance.
ORW Founders Day gives a special thanks to Landry, County Commissioner Pct. 3 Tommy Hammond and County Judge Jimmy Sylvia.
“These gentlemen and their departments make sure that ORW Founders Day has everything needed to put on a free family friendly event,” the release read.
The 18th Annual Old River-Winfree Founders Day will be on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.