Alamo Colleges issued the following announcement.
For the first time ever, the Fabulous GED Brunch, a major fundraiser supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, including Brunch founder Martha Tijerina and the Alamo Colleges Foundation, went virtual and still garnered tremendous community support, raising more than $42,000 to support the Foundation’s Student Impact Fund, which provides emergency aid to students to help with rent, utilities, food insecurity and other needs to help them stay in college and succeed. The event featured live donations from viewers, a virtual silent auction and an Avon marketplace. Donations are still coming in.
Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) graduate Alejandra Gomez shared how the SIF gave her critical financial help with needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic so that she was able to complete her education at NLC. To date, 133 students have received $63,000 through the SIF, and the fund will continue to be essential to student well-being and success in 2021.
Other featured guests included the Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., archibshop of San Antonio, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Alamo Colleges’ Chancellor Mike Flores. Keynote speaker, San Antonio Express-News columnist Elaine Ayala, reflected on the origins of the GED Brunch, which was first held in 2008. She noted that the event inspired State Representative Diego Bernal who was instrumental in passing House Bill 3, which secured $11.6 billion for state public education and included funds for those taking GED exams. Those who were unable to view the event live can see it via YouTube.
Including this year’s event, the GED Brunch has now raised over $700,000 to support Alamo Colleges’ students in its 13-year history. Of this total, $109,000 of the funds raised were used to found a GED Empowerment to College Endowment Scholarship for GED students who enroll at any of the five Alamo Colleges, giving the event its name. However, in this year of COVID-19, the decision was made to use the proceeds to support the Student Impact Fund. For more information or to make a gift, go to https://www.alamo.edu/gedbrunch
Original source can be found here.
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