SANFORD - The Sanford Central High School Class of 1959 is celebrating its 50th anniversary by calling on all members to make a generous donation to the class’s Memorial Scholarship Endowment at Central Carolina Community College.

The endowment was established in 2002 to serve as a memorial for members of the Class of 1959 who have passed away.

“We were the first class to set up a scholarship at the college,” said Chan Heins, of Sanford, one of the reunion organizers.

The class will hold its 50th anniversary reunion the weekend of Sept.18. In the reunion invitation letter to his classmates, Heins encouraged them to contribute to the endowment. A list of Class of 1959 members who are deceased was included.

“Remember the scholars, the athletes, the dancers, the majorettes, the quiet ones, the clowns, and the good friends?” he wrote. “Remember the fun times we had at ball games and sock hops, hanging out at Morton’s and the Dairy Bar? All of these friends (on the list) have something in common - none of them will be attending the reunion because all of them died way too early.”

Heins requested that his classmates remember those who are no longer with them by donating to the class’s endowment at the college. Not only will donations honor their deceased classmates, but they will also provide scholarships for students who might otherwise not be able to attend college, he said. Several students are currently attending CCCC with the help of a Class of 1959 Memorial Scholarship.

Graduates of Lee County public high schools with at least a 2.5 GPA are eligible to apply for Class of 1959 scholarships. The CCCC Scholarship Committee selects the recipients.

“This is a great idea for a class to put their resources together in order to give something back to the community where they got their educational base,” said Diane Glover, CCCC Foundation executive director. “I would like to see other classes consider the same idea in order to establish a lasting legacy that will always be remembered.”

For more information about establishing endowments at Central Carolina Community College or applying for a scholarship, contact Glover at (919) 718-7231 or by email at dglover@cccc.edu.