Auburn Rotary Club’s annual barbecue benefit held recently raised about $38,000, which will benefit local organizations.

“It’s close to what we raised last year, which is really good in these economic times,” said Mary Jo Payne, community service director for the Rotary Club and loan officer at Citizens Bank of Northern California. “We had over a thousand people this year.”

Payne said the club will give $15,000 worth of scholarships to graduating seniors at Placer High School.

Funds will also go to the following local charities and organizations: Auburn Little League, Auburn Symphony, Placer and Bear River High grad nights, Peace for Families dinner, Placer Arts, Salvation Army community thanksgiving dinner, 13 local schools’ student/teacher recognition, Boy’s State and Girl’s State, Scout Troop 19 and Project Auburn.