CLC Foundation reports more than $300,000 in donations for 2009

The Central Lakes College Foundation closed out the 2009 fiscal year with more than $300,000 in donations to new and existing scholarship funds.

Diane Scearcy, executive director, said the foundation processed nearly 500 student applications for scholarships last year. "We were fortunate to have received grants from the Bremer Foundation ($10,000) and the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation ($5,000) to provide emergency and book assistance to those in need through our Random Acts of Kindness Funds," she said.

To begin the new fiscal year, the foundation is pairing with the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to bring the "Married Alive!" musical comedy to the area Sept. 11-12 as a dinner show. This event, which includes a silent auction of Jon Hassler prints and two of Rose Edin's latest works, is a major fundraiser.

The event will be in the new Gull Lake Center at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa.

The foundation board will serve the annual CLC staff breakfast Aug. 19 as faculty return for the start of a new academic year. Donations from CLC employees flow through a fund created in 2001 that now exceeds $42,000.

"This is another example of the support that the foundation receives from the campus community," Scearcy said.

On Sept. 19, the foundation and alumni association will provide hot dogs and soft drinks during the homecoming game vs. Itasca.

In November, the nonprofit foundation will receive proceeds from Prairie Bay Restaurant and Catering at its Second Thursday community wine and hors d'oeuvres event.