RC Atkins/Handyman Matters Scholarships

For the past 11 years, Handyman Matters has been committed to helping others in need and Rick Atkins – a Handyman Matters owner servicing the Lexington and Louisville, KY., areas – is no exception. In January, 2009, Atkins and Handyman Matters introduced the R.C. Atkins/Handyman Matters Trade Scholarship to award scholarships to deserving candidates across the country who are committed to learning and practicing a skilled trade as a career objective.

The R.C. Atkins/Handyman Matters Trade Scholarship was founded by Rick Atkins in memory of his son, Richard "R.C." Atkins. R.C., a skilled arborist who worked in the maintenance and management of trees for 10 years – a detail that played an integral role in Atkins' decision to create a scholarship in R.C.'s honor (he passed away in 2006). According to Atkins, the purpose of the scholarship is to promote and encourage education and/or formal training programs that are generally applicable to the skilled trades in the building, home improvement and construction industries by providing financial assistance to students currently enrolled in or verifiably committed to an accredited program.

"R.C.'s enthusiasm, inspiration, dedication and passion for his work should serve as an example for others considering a career in the skilled trades," said Atkins. "I feel our youth are often steered away from these types of careers but these are jobs that will always be needed so I wholeheartedly encourage anyone interested to pursue these avenues and this scholarship."