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No Broughton social this year

For the first time in 33 years, no ice cream social will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds this summer.

Broughton Foods announced the postponement of the event Thursday citing a lack of applications that met the criteria the company hoped to see from local organizations vying for the annual benefit.

“The pool of applicants was relatively small this year and among other reasons we did not think the number of volunteers needed to put on this event, not just the day of, but in preparation for it, would be fulfilled this year,” said Neil Schilling sales manager of the local company. “We’re in no way indicating that it will never happen again. We plan to be back with the opportunity for applications next spring.”

The social began in 1984 as a fundraising event to help the Marietta High School marching band purchase new uniforms. It has since raised $565,000 for local organizations ranging from the humane society to Eve, Inc., Armory Square, Harvest of Hope and last year: Building Bridges to Careers.

“We were thrilled to be selected last year, it’s kind of a privilege to be the last in line if they possibly don’t do this again,” said Tasha Werry, the Building Bridges to Careers coordinator. “We got over $14,500 from it and benefited not only financially but also from the volunteer work of previous recipients from years before.”

Werry said Building Bridges to Careers had even saved safety vests they had purchased last year for the event to be used again this year.

“A lot of the previous organizations had saved and allowed others to use things, Right Path had these money safes that we got to use last year to collect the donations in.”

Schilling said the company will look for a wider range of applications next spring. He also said some internal restructuring of duties is needed in order for the Broughton’s Ice Cream Social to return next year.

At a glance

¯ Broughton Foods announced Thursday that there will be no ice cream social held this July.

¯ The annual event has raised more than $565,000 in the past 33 years for local organizations.

Source: Neil Schilling.

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