UPDATED: There’s still time … DMC Foundation’s virtual fundraising event, “Bernie’s Spring Bash,” extended to May 14
Article by Melinda Eddleman
(Updated April 30, 2021)
Efforts began April 5 with the goal is to raise $90,000 overall. To date, a little over $55,000 has been raised to support the Del Mar College (DMC) Student Emergency Aid Fund and teaching or other resource needs of six participating academic programs––art, cosmetology, court reporting, dental hygiene, music and nursing––during the DMC Foundation’s annual “Bernie’s Spring Bash,” which is virtual again this year.
It’s not too late to support this year’s cause. The virtual fundraiser has been extended to Friday, May 14, and DMC students’ needs are as critical as ever to complete their studies while the pandemic continues.
‘Bernie’s Spring Bash’ centers on helping Del Mar College students, and this year, we are also spotlighting six College programs that each have specific needs. Community supporters have the opportunity to invest in a specific program or toward the Foundation’s general goal to help students facing an urgent and unforeseen emergency.
Between March 2020 and March 2021, the DMC Foundation awarded $259,100 in emergency funds to students who faced such issues as medical bills, car repairs, lost wages or other emergencies that could make the difference between continuing their education or dropping out.
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 the six academic programs that have identified specific needs.
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.
Funding goals, needs and links to the six program 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.
About “Bernie’s Spring Bash”
The original event began 13 years ago as a small crawfish boil that grew into a signature fundraiser to help Del Mar College 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” remains virtual and is being held in memory of the late Paulson.
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.