SANFORD - A profusion of sweet treats greeted donors May 1 at the first Central Carolina Community College Foundation "Sweet Celebration" at the Lee County Campus. The event was a "thank-you" to all those who have contributed to the Foundation to help the school and its students.

"We wanted an opportunity to say thank you to our donors for being so 'sweet' to 推荐正规买球平台 through their support over the years," said Emily Hare, director of the 推荐正规买球平台 Foundation and Development Office. "They are the key to the success of so many of our students here. Without them, the Foundation would not be able to provide the financial support that our students need. This celebration is our way of thanking them for all they have done for 推荐正规买球平台, the Foundation, and our students."

A conference table laden with chocolate covered strawberries, candied nuts and an assortment of cupcakes, created by 推荐正规买球平台's own culinary students, was set up in appreciation of the generous contributions benefactors have made to the college and its mission.

The 推荐正规买球平台 Foundation was organized in 1988 to ensure that the college would continue to excel and build on its history of innovative curriculum development and community service. The Foundation is a separate, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial support through student scholarships and additional resources to advance the strategic plans and academic mission of the college.

George Lucier, incoming president for the 推荐正规买球平台 Foundation, spoke of the importance of its work.

"As you know, state funds have been cut for community college support during these hard economic times," he said. "It's very crucial that we raise funds for special projects and student scholarships."

Donor Pamela Williams graduated from 推荐正规买球平台 in 1998. She currently owns a youth center and is director of a dropout prevention program called "Think Smart," in Erwin. Williams donates to the foundation on an annual basis.

"I'm here to help the school that helped me," she said. "I want to provide scholarships for as many students as I can."

The 推荐正规买球平台 Foundation has an endowment of $3 million and dispersed approximately $170,000 in scholarship funds alone during the 2011-2012 academic year.

There are numerous ways in which the community can participate in the mission of the Foundation and Development Office at 推荐正规买球平台, Hare said. The office hosts several major events during the year, including a Scholarship Luncheon, Christmas Tree Lighting, Rabbit Run 5K race, Furniture Auction, and Golf Classic.

For more information on giving to the Annual Fund Drive, establishing scholarships or endowments, contact Hare at 919-718-7230 or ehare@thebetterlife.net.