EvCC Foundation breakfast raises $120,000 to support student scholarships, college programs
The Everett Community College Foundation鈥檚 breakfast on Tuesday raised a record-setting $120,000 to support student scholarships and college programs.
More than 450 people attended the breakfast, which featured keynote speaker Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa. EvCC student Kassi Blanchard and alumnae Andie Allred and Jasmine Chigbrow also spoke about how support for EvCC affected their futures.
鈥淚鈥檓 a first-generation, low-income student with a disability and am a mature 34 years old,鈥 said Blanchard, who received prestigious national and state scholarships for her bachelor鈥檚 degree. 鈥淚t is because of the support I鈥檝e received at Everett, my family, my faith and the generous support of donors to the EvCC Foundation I was able to succeed.鈥
At the breakfast, EvCC President David Beyer awarded the President鈥檚 Community Partner award to Providence Regional Medical Center. The award honors those who have supported the college鈥檚 mission and was accepted by Providence Health & Services Northwest CEO Kim Williams, an EvCC alumna.
The EvCC Foundation also gave the Feather Star award to accounting firm Vine Dahlen, Bargreen Coffee, Washington State Employees Credit Union and Dr. Steve and Debbie Wescott for their support of Foundation work.
The breakfast is part of the EvCC Foundation鈥檚 efforts to increase the number of student scholarships, emergency loans and grants. The Foundation is also working to seek out equipment and support to ensure students have the technology they need in the classroom.
As the college has grown, the number of students seeking help to pay for their education has increased. The EvCC Foundation is working to meet the demand, said John Olson, executive director of the EvCC Foundation.
The EvCC Foundation provided 151 scholarships and other support to students in 2016-17 but had to turn away more than 300 other students who applied for scholarships. For students who do receive scholarships, the funds cover about 20 percent of the cost of their education.
For more information about the Everett Community College Foundation or to make a donation, visit EverettCC.edu/Foundation or call 425-388-9555.