CHILDERSBURG, AL – The Masie Knight Memorial Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting local youth in Central Alabama, is prepping for its sixth annual Squirrel Rodeo on Saturday, March 2.
The event will be held at 8240 McGowans Ferry Road with squirrel weigh-ins starting at 12:00 p.m.
The scholarship program was initiated in memory of Masie Knight, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the young age of 27.
The program flourished under the guidance of Masie’s younger brother, Shane McKee. Since 2005, the program has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to students in Talladega County, honoring Masie’s legacy.
C.J. Knight, Masie’s son, took over the scholarship program in 2017.
“My mother was a big, I guess you could say, outdoors-lady,” Knight said. “Squirrel hunting is kind of a thing of the past. You don’t really see it. I started think about how we can involve the youth with the outdoors. This [squirrel rodeo] has been a great avenue for that.”
He highlighted the importance the annual Squirrel Hunt fundraiser has in generating funds for deserving high school graduates in the community.
The Squirrel Rodeo, a hallmark of the organization’s commitment to Masie’s values, includes a raffle featuring firearms, hunting and fishing merchandise, and various prizes donated by local sponsors.
All proceeds from the fundraiser directly contribute to scholarship funds benefiting students from Sylacauga, Fayetteville, Winterboro, Childersburg, and B.B. Comer.
“We want the kids to get out and hunt with their parents and their families,” stated Knight. “We want to be good stewards of conservation. We’ve got a good community event that people are looking forward to, but we’re also helping people. We’re giving back to the high schoolers in her memory.”
Participants are invited to join the squirrel hunt, enjoy live weigh-ins, and partake in the raffle drawing, with dinner provided – a fish fry rather than squirrel. Raffle tickets can be purchased online here or in-person at the event, with attractive prizes such as firearms, outdoor gear, and gift certificates from local businesses.
To apply for scholarships, interested students can download the application online or contact Amber Cook at [email protected].
