“Supporting the Dream” is more than just the theme of the Grayson College Foundation’s 2013 Annual Campaign; it’s a commitment to the lives and learning of GC students. Campaign co-chairs Betty and Phil Roether of Pottsboro selected the theme because they believe the annual campaign supports dreams.
“By supporting the GC Foundation annual campaign, donors not only help make dreams come true for GC students who need financial assistance to pursue their educational goals, but they support the dream of making the communities in which they live a better place with more highly educated friends and neighbors,” said Tina Dodson, director of annual giving at the foundation. “It’s a win-win situation.”
The Roethers are no strangers to community service. Since retiring from their respective corporations in 1999, they have served on numerous boards and charitable organizations in Pottsboro, Denison, Sherman and Grayson County. They will host a kick-off party for community team leaders, volunteers, GC trustees and administrators, and foundation board members and staff on Jan. 31. The Roethers and Dr. Jeremy McMillen, GC president, will speak. Several current and former GC scholarship recipients will attend as well.
The volunteer-driven phase of the campaign runs from Feb. 1 to March 31 with the support of team leaders, including: Johnny and Carol Waldrip of Bells, Connie Snider of Denison, Barbara Woodroof of Gunter, Diana Williams representing Pottsboro, Lauren Bolin Roth of Sherman, Sharon Brazeal of Van Alstyne, and Narda Goodson of Whitewright.
While the GC Foundation continues to accept donations throughout the year, the volunteer period ends March 31. The Roethers, team leaders and campaign volunteers hope to raise $300,000 during the volunteer phase of the campaign. They will personally contact individuals, organizations and businesses to ask for financial support. Donors can make gifts or pledges during this time.
“We ask that annual pledges be honored by Aug. 31, prior to the beginning of the fall semester at Grayson College so that the students’ scholarship funding will be in place for the 2013-2014 academic year,” Dodson said. “Donors who wish to permanently endow a scholarship fund for GC students should contact the GC Foundation office for more information.”
Financial support garnered from the volunteer period and during the extended campaign will fund a variety of needs – based on the donors’ interests – including scholarships for GC students, endowed faculty chairs for teaching excellence in various academic departments, facility and equipment improvement or expansion on GC’s two campuses, and other projects pertinent to student achievement. During last year’s volunteer-driven phase of the campaign, more than $232,000 was raised for scholarships for GC students. Combined with previous annual scholarship contributions of more than $833,000 and scholarship funds generated from earnings on its permanently endowed scholarship funds, volunteer efforts allowed the GC Foundation to present nearly $399,000 in scholarship awards to 404 Grayson College students for the 2012-2013 academic year.
“Contributions came from a variety of donors, including area residents, GC alumni and employees, local organizations and foundations, and area industries,” Dodson said. “I believe the citizens of our area must be the most generous and caring people in the world. They gave even in today’s tough economy, and their generosity made a difference in the lives of GC students.”
Donors who wish to make dreams come true for Grayson College students – and those who would like to volunteer in the campaign – should contact the co-chairs, team leaders or GC Foundation at 903-463-8716 or by e-mail at dodsont@grayson.edu. The GC Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions to the GC Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.