DMC Foundation’s Virtual “Bernie’s Spring Bash” Kicks Off to Raise Funds for Emergency Student Aid, Six Departmental Teaching Resource Needs
2021 fundraiser held in memory of event founder, the late Bernard “Bernie” Paulson; direct donations, departmental crowdfunding and sponsorships characterize this year’s online event
Article by Melinda Eddleman
(Eidtor's Note: Informative PDF files located in upper right-hand corner of page.)
The original event began 13 years ago as a small crawfish boil that grew into a signature fundraiser to help Del Mar College (DMC) students. Each year through 2019, the DMC Foundation and Trustee Bernard “Bernie” Paulson pulled together community members to raise scholarship funds that assisted students with completing their studies.
2020 brought changes, including the fundraising event going virtual due to the pandemic and the loss of Paulson last May. The 2021 “Bernie’s Spring Bash,” which runs April 5-30, remains virtual and is being held in memory of the late Paulson.
The goal is to raise $90,000 total, including $54,850 through direct donations and sponsorships for the Foundation’s Student Emergency Aid Fund and $35,150 through crowdfunding efforts by six academic programs/departments that have identified specific teaching resource needs.
"Bernie’s Spring Bash" is an innovative fundraiser centered on helping Del Mar College students, and this year, we are also spotlighting six College programs that each have specific needs, such as the Music Department’s goal to raise $5,000 for a piano. This gives our community supporters the opportunity to invest in a specific program or toward the Foundation’s general goal to help students facing an urgent and unforeseen emergency.
The $54,850 goal toward the Student Emergency Aid Fund can assist a total of 171 students. To give, individuals can donate directly at give.delmar.edu/BSB2021. Different level sponsorships for this fund are also available that range from $500 to the $25,000 Presenting Sponsor level (PDF file provided).
The funding goals, needs and links to the six program/departmental crowdfunding pages are as follows:
Art Program: $4,500 for drafting tables for drawing classroom
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021Art
Cosmetology Program: $3,600 for facial machines and infrared dryers
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021Cosmetology
Court Reporting Program: $4,800 for loaner writer machines
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021CourtRep
Dental Hygiene Program: $5,000 for student scholarships
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021DentalHyg
Music Department: $5,000 for piano for practice room
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021Music
Nurse Education Department: $12,250 for mobile medication station
https://give.delmar.edu/BSB2021Nursing
Individuals can visit the “Bernie’s Spring Bash” website for additional donation and sponsorship details and to access the “Team” links at https://give.delmar.edu/event/bernies-spring-bash-2021/e326451.
Questions? Contact the DMC Foundation at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.