Making sure students achieve success during their educational journey remains an important goal for FTCC Foundation, Inc. And the organization plans to continue the tradition by giving communities – near and far – the opportunity to “provide college access for students to attain their educational and career goals” this semester.
The Foundation will host a series of events this month through April to benefit student scholarships. On March 6, diners can visit the Panera restaurant at 1933 Skibo Road, Fayetteville, and donate a portion of their purchase to the Foundation. The event will last from 4 to 8 p.m. Patrons can also donate with online orders by entering the promo code “FUND.”
Following the fundraiser at Panera will be the popular Bluegrass & BBQ Silent Auction Dinner and Scholarship Golf Tournament on April 26 and 27. During the dinner, attendees will have the chance to bid on a range of gifts from jewelry, spa packages, trips and more inside Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Tony Rand Student Center. They’ll also enjoy live music and country line dancing paired with the dinner. Tickets are $75; the deadline to purchase is April 16. The competitive Golf Tournament will take place at Gates Four Golf & Country Club. The tournament attracts more than a dozen teams of players who golf leisurely – and competitively.
A golfer waits to see where his golf ball will land during the 2017 Silent Auction and Golf Tournament, hosted by FTCC Foundation, Inc.
Lorna Ricotta, executive director of FTCC Foundation, Inc., noted what scholarship donations could lead to.
“Donations to FTCC Foundation support scholarships and academic programs to prepare our regional workforce,” she said. “Every year, the goal is to surpass the previous year’s amount awarded.”
The Foundation raised nearly $200,000 in scholarships during the 2016-17 school year. This year, the Foundation is on track to award $218,000 in scholarships to students in need.
Although the events represent a specific time to give, the Foundation accepts donations year-round. Continued support helps the Foundation provide 120 scholarships while managing 68 endowed funds, 69 restricted funds and 29 department funds and college organizations. A coveted scholarship given to students is from the Tom McLean Ambassador Program, providing students with $1,000. The honorary group of students commit to a full year of representing FTCC and participating in events such as campus registration, graduation fairs and the Annual Foundation Chair’s Gala held in October. The program’s namesake was a former Board of Trustees member who served as chairman of the building and grounds committee. He joined the board in 1981.
Attendees at the 2017 Bluegrass & BBQ Silent Auction, hosted by FTCC Foundation Inc.
“FTCC Foundation is grateful to have generous donors who recognize the value of FTCC training and education,” Ricotta said. “Our students are unique and diverse in their life experiences. We serve transitioning military students, traditional students, as well as working parents and first generation college students.”
In February, the Foundation received funding for “Project Success,” thanks to the Educational Credit Management Corporation. The emergency funds allow students to apply for up to $500 to cover expenses outside of college such as food, housing, transportation, medical bills, childcare and more. FTCC serves more than 40,000 students annually.
To purchase tickets for the Silent Auction Dinner and sign up for the Scholarship Golf Tournament call 910-678-8441.
