East Texas businesses donate 2500 to KC athletics

(Left to right) Dennis McFadin (D&D), Jimmy Rieves (KC) and Mike Clements (Energy Weldfab). Two East Texas businesses with a long history of financially helping Kilgore College have donated $2,500 to the KC Athletics fund.

Mike Clements, owner of Energy Weldfab, Inc., in White Oak, and Dennis McFadin, owner of D&D Industrial Welding Supply, Inc. in Kilgore, have partnered to hold an annual golf tournament for the past 10 years to raise money for areas of the community in need of additional funding.

Clements said that after talking to the KC coaches, he felt that there was a need for some additional funds to help student athletes.

"The money will be used in several areas of athletics here at KC," said Jimmy Rieves, athletic director. "Sometimes there are extra things that coaches need to improve the quality of their program and the development of KC athletes. Donations like this help our athletes not only to have a better athletic experience, but also improve their educational experience."

Clements said he is always thrilled to be able to give back to an institution that means so much to him, such as KC.

"We are trying to get people to connect to KC," Clements said. "We all grew up here and the school means a lot to us. We saw a need and feel really good about being in the position to do some good with the money we donate."

This year's golf tournament was held at Wood Hollow Golf Course in Longview Sept. 18, and was open to anybody who wanted to participate.

"We had all kinds of folks participate this year," McFadin said. "People of all professions chipped in to have a good time while raising money for a good cause."

Energy Weldfab is a manufacturer of oil and gas equipment, and D&D Industrial Welding Supply is in the welding supply business. Both companies are also providing support for this year's KC Hall of Fame induction ceremony and golf tournament set for Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

For more information on this year's Hall of Fame activities, visit: http://www.kilgore.edu/hall_of _fame.asp.