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Gala meets FSCC Endowment Association's goal
It was a night of music, dancing and other entertainment, all to benefit scholarships at Fort Scott Community College.
The FSCC Endowment Association hosted the second annual Black and White Gala Saturday night at the Liberty Theatre. All proceeds from the event go toward FSCC scholarships.
"One hundred percent of proceeds go toward student scholarships," FSCC Director of Development and Alumni Relations Bailey Lyons said. "It's the endowment association's largest fundraiser of the year."
Last year, the event replaced the annual "Casino Night," a similar fundraiser in recent years with a casino theme aimed at raising money for college scholarships. The casino-themed fundraiser ran from 2012 to 2014.
"We thought we'd try something different," Lyons said.
According to preliminary fundraising numbers, after expenses, the event netted about $10,000 through money from ticket sales, auction proceeds and corporate sponsorships, which was organizers' goal. About 225 people attended the event, Lyons said.
"I was very pleased," she said. "We appreciated everyone who came out to support scholarships, and our business sponsors. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I hope people saw it as an enjoyable evening and also as a way of supporting our scholarship fund."
Proceeds will benefit FSCC students through merit- and need-based scholarships. The event "raised about the same" as last year's event, but drew more people, Lyons said.
"We were pleased with the amount of money raised. It will certainly be put to good use awarding scholarships to FSCC students," she said.
Tickets for the event sold out.
"There's an anticipation now for it and people want to get tickets for it," Lyons said, adding the venue for the event was a "great fit."
Lyons said organizers set a goal of $10,000 for the gala and hope to grow the event in future years. The goal has been reached both years so far.
"The money raised by this event helps ensure future Greyhounds have the resources necessary to fund their education and reach their goals," she said.
The event included cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dancing and live musical entertainment by FSCC students and Dueling Pianos, a musical comedy act with audience participation. A photo booth was also available to attendees. Five different packages were auctioned off during a silent auction.
"On behalf of FSCC and the Endowment Association, we are so grateful for all the support we receive from the community, our donors, and friends of the college," Lyons said. "We are thankful for everyone who purchased tickets, donated items, services and time, and provided us with a sponsorship. Without that support it wouldn't be possible to put on such an event. We're pleased to be able to put on an event that the community enjoys and looks forward to, while at the same time raising funds for a very worthy cause. Our future Greyhounds who receive scholarship assistance will be the true beneficiaries of their generosity. We are looking forward to hosting an even better, more successful event in 2017."