GROTTOES, Va. (WHSV) – On Saturday, the family of fallen Bridgewater College Police Officer John Painter is holding a fundraising event in Grottoes. The John E. Painter Memorial Scholarship Ride will raise money for a scholarship in Painter’s honor.
“We’re going to do a scholarship for a high school senior, and they have to be going into criminal justice, law enforcement, or crime scene investigation. Something along those lines to kind of keep it in honor of my dad,” said Courtney Painter, John’s daughter.
The scholarship will be at least $1,000 and could be more depending on how much money is raised Saturday. Seniors from high schools in the Shenandoah Valley will able to apply for it once the fund is set provided they meet the requirements.
The money for the scholarship will be raised by registration fees and raffle tickets people can purchase. On Saturday, motorcyclists will ride from Grottoes to Bridgewater then up to Stanley and back to Grottoes.
“Registration will start at 8 a.m. at the Grottoes Town Hall, and then from there they’ll go on their route, and then we’ll come back and join here at the John E. Painter Park afterward for live music and some raffles,” said Courtney.
One of the musical performances will be from John Painter’s nephews Austin and Jacob Painter. Courtney said her family has been discussing ways to keep her father’s memory alive over the last two years. The family plans to hold this event annually and hold other events throughout the year.
“I think it’s mainly just about keeping his name alive, keeping it out there, keeping him remembered for everything he did and who he was as a person. He was super personable and a lot of people knew and liked him, so just kind of having a way to honor him I think is my biggest thing,” said Courtney.
Courtney said that she hopes people will remember how selfless her father was.
“He was somebody who would do anything for anybody, he’d give them the shirt off his back if they needed it. I think that’s kind of how I try to live my life now in remembrance of him and doing things for people when they may need help,” she said.
Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship fund can Venmo @Courtney-Painter-6 and any food vendors interested in participating in the event in the future can contact 540-290-5593.
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