Local business owner donates $15,000 to volleyball programs
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Tom Apgar continued his family's tradition of supporting local athletics Tuesday as he handed a $15,000 check to Marshalltown Schools officials for the high school and middle school volleyball programs.
The donation was one of Tom's father Pat Apgar's last wishes before he passed. Both men, along with Tom's grandfather, have owned Apgar Photography Studio continuously since 1911.
"You've got to allow me to take a little pride in the family legacy of giving back to the community," Tom Apgar said.
His father started the Blue Blazers program in the 1960s and 70s, which saw local business leaders purchase blue blazers worn by school athletes on game day. Apgar said it was "so that Marshalltown would have a professional looking team go on the road and represent our school."
Apgar said in the 1980s his father managed to persuade the school athletic director to share the basketball court with volleyball players. Apgar's father continued to donate to the school's volleyball program for years.
Marshalltown Schools Superintendent Theron Schutte, himself a Bobcat alum, accepted the check at Tuesday's meeting and said the Apgars have a strong history of support for the school dating back to the early 20th century.
"Hopefully, it can help contribute to future success for Marshalltown volleyball," Schutte said.
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