By Trent Moore
The Cullman Times
CULLMAN — More than 100 scholarships could be raised today at the fifth annual “Invest in a Student and Change a Life” auction and luncheon at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
“We feel this event is a way for the community and local businesses to invest in the students’ lives,” Wallace State Director of Development Suzanne Harbin said.
The event is a chance for the college to raise a large amount of local scholarship money, which will be distributed to students in the coming semesters.
“It’s a very important event, and we do this to raise money for scholarships for our Wallace State students,” Harbin said.
A six-person table for the luncheon costs $700, while individual seats can be purchased for $125.
“Every table will sponsor at least one student with a scholarship,” Harbin said.
More than 40 local businesses have also donated items for a silent auction. Items include Alabama vs. LSU football tickets, vacations, electronics and pieces of art.
The event is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Wallace State coliseum.
Harbin said the foundation hosting the auction and luncheon have set a $100,000 fundraising goal for the day.
“Really, we anticipate exceeding that goal,” she said.
One change this year, Harbin said, is that all money raised will be matched thanks to a U.S. Department of Education strengthening institutions Title III grant.
“We will have this unique opportunity this year,” she said. “We’ve received this grant that will match dollar for dollar the funds we raise. So, if we raise $100,000 we can match that and be able to award almost $200,000 in scholarships.”
Early interest in the event is already going well, Harbin said.
“We’ve almost doubled table sales from last year,” she said.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a table, Harbin can be reached at (256) 352-8144.
More information about the auction can be found at the Wallace State Web site (http://www.wallacestate.edu/alumni/auction.html).
‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
