Fundraiser Set for Wednesday to Support the Roger Purcell Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Franklin County HS basketball player.

(Franklin County, Ind.) - A fundraiser will be held this week to support the Roger Purcell Memorial Scholarship through the Franklin County Community Foundation.

The fundraiser will take place at the O'Charleys in Harrison on Wednesday, September 2 from 11 AM to 10 PM. Fifteen percent of all sales will be donated to the scholarship fund.

"Roger's story effected an entire community and with the help of his mom, Ruth, we are happy to be teaming up to help raise money for such a good cause," reads a statement from the Franklin County Community Foundation. 

Purcell, of West Harrison, was reported missing in June of 2024. 

His remains were located two years later in southeastern Franklin County. 

He was a proud graduate of Franklin County High School and worked as a carpenter after graduation before joining the union as a construction laborer. Roger was widely known for his love of sports, especially basketball. He devoted more than 18 years to coaching youth basketball in both CYO and travel leagues and also volunteered as a Little League baseball umpire.

The Roger Purcell Scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating Franklin County High School student who participated in the Basketball program while attending FCHS.

For questions about the Roger Purcell Memorial Scholarship Endowment, or to contribute, contact the Franklin County Community Foundation at www.fccfin.org.