The Scotland County Highland Games organization is over $1000 richer after receiving gifts during a planning meeting for the event, held Tuesday night at Scotland Place in Laurinburg.

Co-chairman Beacham McDougald expressed his appreciation at receiving the check on behalf of the planning committee, which was presented by President Ginny Powers of the Cape Fear Valley Scottish Clans of Fayetteville.

"It is heartwarming to receive support from outside of Scotland County," McDougald said. "We are more than happy to have them on board as our first paid chieftain sponsor and as further proof that our games will reach out to all of North and South Carolina," McDougald said.

In addition to Scotland County, those in attendance at the meeting came from Fayetteville, Durham, Cary, Lumberton, and Wilmington.

After presenting the gift on behalf of the Cumberland County organization, Powers cited the uniqueness of the region and why her organization felt it important to promote the inaugural games, scheduled to be held Oct. 3 at the John Blue House in Laurinburg.

"This area is where many of our Scottish ancestors lived after emigrating from Europe," Powers said. "The Cape Fear Valley Scottish Clans feel it is very important to support these games in their beginning, and also to help ensure they will continue."

The group also received a $250 gift from Howard and Dorothy Cross at the Clansman Sponsor level. The Crosses, who lived in England for six years before moving to Maxton, visited Scotland often during their stay.

"We attended the Red Springs games for a couple of years after moving here," Dorothy Cross said, "and we wanted to get involved with the Scotland County games by attending meetings and showing our support."

West Virginia native Howard Cross agreed.

"The people in Scotland are very friendly and open to newcomers," Cross said. "One reason we like Scotland County so much is because we have found the same kind of welcome here."

In other business, committees were formed to finalize designs for a logo/crest to represent the games, and for an initial batch of t-shirts to be prepared for early purchase and publicity by event organizers.

"The first event for possible publicity will be the grand re-opening of the Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews College on Friday morning, March 20," McDougald said. "That will be followed by the Scottish Heritage Weekend at St. Andrews and the Loch Norman Highland Games on April 18."

The initial batch of T-shirts will sell for $15 and may be purchased at the Scottish Heritage Center March 20. Checks may be made payable to the Scotch Fair Highland Games Foundation.

Sponsorships for the games are available at multiple levels of participation, including the $1000 Chieftain level, the $500 Highlander level, the $250 Clansman level, and the $100 Patron. Lesser donations are gratefully accepted as well.

"By the next meeting we will have a 'friends of the games' level of patronage in place as well," McDougald said, "for those who wish to donate amounts less than at the $100 level."

The next group meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on March 24 at the John Blue House. Thirty minutes prior to the meeting, committee members will walk the grounds and discuss the physical layout of the games.

For more information, to make a donation, or to become involved in promoting the Scotland County Highland Games, contact the Scottish Heritage Center at 277-5236 or send mail to the Scotland County Highland Games, P.O. Box 1102, Laurinburg, N.C. 28353-1102.