Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund Committee donates $4K to holiday charities benefiting Hickory children
The Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund Committee has donated $4,000 to two longstanding holiday charities that support local children in need. Hickory Fire Department’s Bikes for Tykes program and Hickory Police Department’s Cops for Tots program each received a $2,000 contribution—marking the 11th consecutive year the fund has supported these initiatives.
Each year, the Hickory Fire Department provides new bicycles and tricycles to underprivileged children through its Bikes for Tykes program. This year’s donation will help purchase additional bicycles for Hickory children, which will be distributed through the Catawba County Christmas Bureau and other local assistance programs.
Likewise, during the holiday season, the Hickory Police Department collects new toys and monetary donations for its Cops for Tots Christmas Wish House. The scholarship fund’s donation will help purchase sports equipment for children ages 13 and under living in Hickory.
The Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 in memory of former Hickory Mayor William R. “Bill” McDonald III. Before his passing in 2014, Mayor McDonald expressed a heartfelt wish that the City create a fund ensuring every Hickory child has the opportunity to participate in Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism programs and activities.
“Bill would be so proud to know that the funds established in his honor continue to support the children of Hickory—a community he loved deeply. He cared passionately about their health and well-being and believed that recreational opportunities offered young people important lessons they carry throughout life,” said Mayor McDonald’s wife, Susan B. McDonald.
Today, the scholarship fund helps children ages 15 and under access City recreation programs by covering or assisting with program fees and equipment costs. Any child living within Hickory city limits may apply. Applicants must complete the required form, meet all deadlines, and meet behavior eligibility standards—recipients cannot have been expelled from school or suspended from a Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism program. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available funds, family financial need, and a limit of two awards per child per calendar year. Final decisions are made by the Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund Committee.
For more information or to donate to the Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund, visit www.hickorync.gov/bill-mcdonald-scholarship-fund or call 828-322-7046. For details about Bikes for Tykes, call 828-323-7420. For Cops for Tots information, call 828-261-2642.