Fundraiser planned for David Larkin Memorial Scholarship Fund
ST. MARYS - A local business and organization are teaming up to raise funds for a local scholarship fund.
Elk County Real Estate and the St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group are working together to host a sausage sandwich sale with proceeds benefitting the David C. Larkin Memorial Scholarship fund. The sale takes places Friday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. until sold out at the corner of Center Street and N. St. Marys Street next to Elk County Real Estate. Sandwiches are available with or without peppers and onions along with a bag of chips.
Larkin worked at Elk County Real Estate for 13 years as a sales associate. He passed away unexpectedly on October 16, 2021 at age 41. He was also a member of the St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group.
Leah Whiteman, owner of Elk County Real Estate, said this is the first year they are hosting the fundraiser and hope to continue it in the future.
“We felt it was a great way to show support and have the community give back to someone who gave so much,” Whiteman said.
Following his death a memorial scholarship was founded in his name by his co-workers, family and friends at the Elk County Community Foundation. Each year four, $500 scholarships are awarded to seniors at each of the four high schools in Elk County including St. Marys Area, Elk County Catholic, Johnsonburg and Ridgway. Among the requirements are that students must be pursuing a two or four year degree at a postsecondary school in the field of human development and family studies, psychology, social work, art, architecture or any humanity studies. Preference is given to a student who is the first to attend college from their family, is active in school and the community and demonstrates financial need.
David was a lifelong resident of St. Marys, was a 1998 graduate of St. Marys Area High School and a 2003 graduate of Penn State University. Larkin took great pride in the history and heritage of the community and its people, which was evident in his involvement in countless local organizations including the Stackpole Hall Foundation, Junior Achievement, City of St. Marys Shade Tree Commission, St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce, Ridgway Heritage Council, Leadership Elk County, Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA), Young Professional Group, Community Education Center (CEC), American Red Cross and more. Larkin managed to network and connect with people, families and businesses that stretched far beyond Elk County and believed in supporting local small businesses. Many say his heart was as big as his friends list and family tree.