Gavilan College’s newest fundraiser – “Sowing Seeds, Nurturing Dreams” – is a gala filled with local wine and food for guests as well as a silent and live auction with an ultimate goal of providing enough money for scholarships and emergency assistance to students in need.
The inaugural event – an idea brought to the table by Social Sciences Professor Leah Halper – is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Gavilan College Student Center. Tickets, limited to ages 21 and older, are $50 and can be purchased online at http://gavilancollege.brownpapertickets.com, or by calling (408) 848-4724.
“The idea being that the money that’s raised would help students realize their dreams,” said Public Information Officer Jan Bernstein Chargin, who sat on the organizing committee for the fundraiser event. “We would love to be able to offer 20 $250 scholarships and then have an equal amount available for emergency needs.”
Those emergency student funds, which are meant for anything to “help them stay in school” – will go to things such as purchasing of transit and gas cards as well as money for food assistance and textbooks. Students can apply for the aid through Gavilan College’s financial aid office.
“It’s great to see everybody at Gavilan College getting behind it and getting involved,” said Bernstein Chargin, mentioning Vice President Kathleen Rose of Instructional Services as a key supporter of the gala fundraiser as well as part-time staff member Tom Mann for creating the design for the advertising flier.
As for the event, food and wine will be provided by restaurants and wineries from Morgan HIll, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista. A wide variety of food is being supplied by Cellar Door Catering, Ladera Grill, Mama Mia’s Ristorante, Ninja Sushi, Patty’s Perfect Pantry, Dona Esther, Ella’s Italian Restaurant, My Pizza, Chiala Farms, House of Siam and Pacific Dining.
Participating wineries are: Martin Ranch Winery, Guglielmo Winery, Fortino Winery, Sunlit Oaks, Central Coast Winery, Aimee June Winery.
Event sponsors include Heritage Bank, Recology, Gavilan College Faculty Association, Pinnacle Bank, Gilroy Rotary, Anritsu, and the Edward “Boss” Prado Foundation.
Auction items include works of art, handmade jewelry, and travel opportunities, including a week in Cabo San Lucas and a week in Lake Tahoe.
