 |
| Angie Noland (left), David Noland and Wanda Jones move to a bluegrass tune by the Darren Nicholson Band during the SCC Foundation’s Bluegrass, Blue Jeans & Bling gala on Aug. 13 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. |
The finish line is coming into focus.
After raising more than $55,000 at last month’s Bluegrass, Blue Jeans & Bling gala, the Southwestern Community College Foundation is now on the home stretch in its “March to a Million” for the Student Success Campaign.
The campaign has surpassed the $850,000 mark in an effort to raise more than $1 million that will be primarily used to support student scholarships.
“We are getting closer by the day, and an event like this is a huge boost,” said Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC. “Our gala was a complete success. The music was fantastic, the food was perfect, and everyone seemed to have a great time. The best part is it was all about creating more opportunities to help our students succeed.
“I want to especially thank Lambert Wilson and Wendy LeMay, our co-chairs for this event,” Dr. Tomas added. “They poured so much time and energy into making this event a success. Their efforts will have a positive impact on our students for years to come.”
Bluegrass for the gala was provided by the Darren Nicholson Band, and classics singer Steven Johannessen also performed. SCC students Stanley Kingsberry and Jesse Moore told the crowd of more than 225 how the college has impacted their lives.
 |
| Darren Nicholson performs with his band during the SCC Foundation’s Bluegrass, Blue Jeans & Bling gala on Aug. 13 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. |
Presenting sponsor for the gala was Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, which hosted the event for the second straight year and donated more than $10,000.
Dozens of area businesses and individuals donated silent auction items as well as wine bottles for the “Cork Pull” event.
“When you count the past two years together, we’ve raised more than $100,000 through the gala,” said Brett Woods, director of the SCC Foundation. “I am so grateful to all of our volunteers and to everyone who attended our gala. The spirit of generosity was infectious.”
The most ambitious fundraising effort in SCC history, the Student Success Campaign is an effort to bridge the gap between scholarship need and availability.
More than 170 academically and financially eligible students apply each year for scholarships through the SCC Foundation, but fewer than one-third of those receive assistance due to limited resources.
For more information on how to contribute to the Student Success Campaign, visit www.southwesterncc.edu/Foundation or contact Kathy Posey at k_posey@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4227.
