21
July
2020
|
18:27 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

DMC Foundation’s virtual “Bernie’s Spring Bash” raises over $153K for Student Emergency Aid Fund

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Juggling work, family and college studies is hard enough for many Del Mar College (DMC) students under normal circumstances. The unexpected expenses that the COVID-19 pandemic caused have made completing courses that much more challenging.

However, the DMC Foundation’s virtual fundraising efforts through “Bernie’s Spring Bash” to raise money for their Student Emergency Aid Fund has paid off. Through the generosity of 113 individuals, businesses and other foundations, “Bernie’s Spring Bash” raised a little over $153,000 to date.

The Foundation has awarded over $112,780 of those funds to 214 DMC students, and more awards are in progress.

 

Three million students drop out of college every year for financial reasons due to a time-sensitive crisis of less than $500. For many students, a relatively small expense can force a difficult decision about whether to stay enrolled in college. Thanks to the financial generosity of our community, including many college employees, the Foundation's Student Emergency Aid Fund is helping many of our students stay enrolled and graduate on-time.
Matthew Busby,CFRE, Director of Development

Kelsey Morris, a DMC May 2020 graduate who earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing to become a registered nurse, knows the value of the Student Emergency Aid Fund assistance she received this spring.

She says in a video clip, “I used the emergency scholarship to help pay for daycare costs that were unexpected during to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Morris notes that she had to spend more on child care in order to study in preparation for the National Council for Licensure Exam or NCLEX to become a licensed registered nurse in Texas. Her efforts and the Foundation’s Student Emergency Aid led to a successful outcome––Morris passed the exam.

In another video clip, Dental Hygiene major Mayela Garcia thanks the Foundation for her Student Emergency Aid assistance to help pay for housing.

Both Morris and Garcia represent the different needs that DMC students face during this critical time. Both students also are available for interviews. (News media can email carbuckle@delmar.edu or meddlem@delmar.edu for contact information.)

While “Bernie’s Spring Bash” was already planned as an April traditional fundraising event for donors to attend and learn more about signature programs directly from faculty and students, the DMC Foundation had to adjust just like everyone else. The event shifted to become virtual.

The virtual experience is still ongoing and accessible to everyone by visiting www.delmar.edu/foundation and clicking on the “Bernie’s Spring Bash” button. Direct donations also can be made by going to give.delmar.edu/bvsb2020.

Touted as an “online party with purpose!,” the virtual fundraiser features videos highlighting DMC faculty and staff expertise and talent including music performances, yoga sessions, work-at-home tips, a downloadable Valdar the Viking coloring book, healthy snack activities with children and more.

For more information about the Student Emergency Aid Fund and scholarships or how to donate online, visit the DMC Foundation’s web pages at www.delmar.edu/foundation or email foundation@delmar.edu.

About Del Mar College

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.