College Connection: A worthwhile fundraiser
By Jim Sorensen
Monday, October 27, 2008 11:02 AM PDT
For the past few months, the Treasure Valley Community College Foundation board members and volunteers have been working tirelessly to solicit gifts and auction items for our annual fundraiser.
“The Sting,” a 1930s casino-style event, fashioned after the movie of the same title, is the premier event for the Foundation’s annual campaign in support of the students and programs at TVCC. The event begins at 7 p.m. this Saturday at the Four Rivers Cultural Center.
Last year, the event attracted more than 300 people, including local business associates, community leaders and interested community members.
The event features blackjack, a craps table, roulette and raffles throughout the night. Food and drinks are included. The Foundation has trips, gifts, gift certificates and other items available (just in time for the holiday gift-giving season) — plus it’s a great night to just relax and enjoy some good fun. Attendees dress in 1930s flair, and the room is full of music and energy. It’s a great event!
But none of this would be possible without the consistent and committed support the college receives from our local community members and businesses.
We are especially appreciative of your generous support in these tight economic times. Business owners, community members, faculty and staff have continued to support this event as a way to show their commitment to helping students — and we are so grateful.
Some people have expressed concern over not being able to contribute at the same levels they did in the past because of business changes. But I want to tell you every donation — no matter the size — makes a difference. Whatever you have can contribute; we will use every donation to increase opportunities for our students.
It’s this consistent support that has allowed the TVCC Foundation to exceed expectations. Under the leadership of Executive Director Cathy Yasuda and the dedicated Foundation board members, the TVCC Foundation’s assets have increased more than 220 percent in the past two years.
The college’s scholarship endowment is now more than $3 million. Since we only use the interest off of these assets, this fund is perpetual, but still limited, in the amount we can use annually for student scholarships.
Private contributions allow the Foundation to help students balance the demands and responsibilities of full- or part-time jobs, college coursework and family life. The students we help are all so different, from single parents to returning adults searching for a new career to recent high school graduates.
A scholarship means many things to them — less financial stress, the knowledge someone believes in them and an incentive to keep trying, even when nothing seems to go right.
One of the best parts about being in education is having the privilege of seeing lives transformed — getting to be a part of a place where people come every day — not because they have to, but because the want to.
It’s gratifying to see our community members invest in college programs and scholarship opportunities because they know education changes communities.
In the spring, we celebrate our student success and donors, but this Saturday is about celebrating you.
We consider “The Sting” to be a fundraising and “friend-raising” event. I look forward to seeing my old friends and meeting new ones this weekend. Come join us for a fun event.
Tickets to “The Sting” are still available for $20 each and include drinks, food and casino chips. People must be at least 21 to attend. For tickets or more information, call the TVCC Foundation at (541) 881-8822, ext. 201.
Dr. Jim Sorensen is the president of Treasure Valley Community College. For information about TVCC, visit its Web site at www.tvcc.cc.or.us, or call (541) 881-8822
