Family honors late son with scholarship fund in his honor

By: Brent Rinehart

In these unsettling times, we look to the young people of this country to provide hope for the future. That is one reason that Charlotte, North Carolina, Boys & Girls Clubs are so crucial to the city's destiny. These young people will help determine if Charlotte will be a world-class city – a place that provides opportunity for all its citizens.

The Boys & Girls Club members who attend college will have the skills to not only improve their own lives, but also the lives of other Charlotteans. Many Club members have the desire and determination to pursue a college education, but do not have the economic opportunity to do so.

Philip Moore was a senior at Cochrane Collegiate Academy who had a dream of pursuing higher education at Central Piedmont Community College. He applied for a scholarship through the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, a group of dedicated volunteers who have raised funds for and supported scores of students in their academic endeavors since 2002.

On March 20, 2019, Philip died unexpectantly. As his parents, Benjamin and Yvonne Moore, grieved this tremendous loss, remembering him as "an artistic, athletic, respectful young man," they decided to raise their own funds to provide a "Bridge to the Future" scholarship in Philip's name to other teens.

"We want the Philip Andrew Moore Scholarship to provide assistance to young adults who will be attending college, an opportunity Philip did not have," said his mother at the women's auxiliary's September meeting when she presented a check for more than $4,000 to Major Wilma Mason. "We raised this money with volunteers working at Clemson University football games, yard sales, barbecues and donations from those who wanted to honor our son."

With the pandemic, the Moores weren't able to explore all the avenues for fundraising as they had planned, but they want to continue this work as a legacy of Philip.

"While we continue to mourn with the Moore family, we are so inspired by their dedication to honor Philip by supporting the education of other students," said Major Wilma Mason, area commander for The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte.

"We are grateful to members of the community who recognize the significance of encouraging students to further their education and who find ways to provide financial support," said Diane Minsker, a member of the women's auxiliary and head of the scholarship committee.