Lake Michigan College is thanking supporters who came out to the annual Lake Michigan College Foundation Student Benefit Auction on Saturday.
LMC Vice President of Advancement and Community Impact Doug Schaffer tells us the auction started out as the Winners Circle Auction in 1988 and has been held nearly every year since, raising millions to support students. He says Saturday’s event was a success.
“We had over 300 people attending and enjoying the activities and raising money for scholarships and special student programs,” Schaffer said. “So all in all, it seemed like everyone had a good time and we were able to raise, we think, close to $100,000.”
Schaffer says they’re still tallying the totals, but it’s looking like they’ll land around that $100,000 mark. Those funds will go into the LMC Scholarship Endowment Fund, which for this year will mostly help new high school graduates in the college’s district.
“Which is Berrien County, Covert Township, and the South Haven Public School District, eligible for free tuition and books if they come to Lake Michigan College right after high school.”
Schaffer says the proceeds will also support the college food pantry, the Veterans Assistance Fund, and a program to help students facing one-time emergency needs.
The event at the Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall included both a live and a silent auction with more than 100 items up for grabs.
“The silent auction had over 200 items from toys and outdoor landscaping supplies to home improvement and small appliances. So just a wide variety of things for the attendees to shop both online and in person, and all that contributes to helping us raise the money that we do.”
Schaffer says the roughly $100,000 raised is about average for the auction. The record is $150,000 reached a few years back. He tells us the auction was a wonderful opportunity to support a good cause while connecting with friends.
“Just a lot of fun with social networking and seeing people that you don’t often have a chance to catch up with and certainly a lot of positive emotions when you’re doing it for a good cause like supporting students and raising money for student scholarships.”
