ECC Foundation fundraiser provides scholarships to women in need
News anchor and philanthropist Soledad O'Brien will headline Elgin Community College Foundation's Purses with Purpose giving circle fundraiser, which marks its fifth year Wednesday, May 9.
The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Grand Victoria Casino Grand Ballroom, 250 South Grove Ave., Elgin. Proceeds fund scholarships for women in need.
O'Brien is an Emmy and Peabody Award winning journalist, author and philanthropist. She is the CEO of Starfish Media Group, her multiplatform media production and distribution company, produces and hosts "Matter of Fact," a weekly news magazine, and runs the PowHERful Foundation, a philanthropic organization providing scholarships, mentorship and wraparound services to young women attending college.
The inaugural Carol Broeker Impact Award will be presented this year, recognizing the achievements of a Purses with Purpose Scholarship recipient. It is named in honor of a founding member and committee chairwoman of Purses with Purpose who also was an ECC alumna.
"The Purses with Purpose Scholarship has been instrumental in assisting students to achieve their educational dreams at ECC," said Monica Bucek, ECC Foundation interim executive director and fundraising committee member. "In addition to celebrating student success, we are also celebrating the women from our community who have supported these dreams over the years. Their generous gifts have had an impressive impact on the college and our community."
The Purses with Purpose giving circle was launched in fall 2012 to empower women through the gift of education. The group has awarded more than $65,000 to 38 students and is working to establish an endowment. This academic year, the giving circle awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 15 ECC students who were interviewed and selected with the help of ECC's financial aid office.
"We then try to keep in contact with them as they go through their education at ECC," said Betsy Cappas, honorary event co-chair and a founding member. "We are in the process of starting a mentoring component, as well."
The group comprises 29 members, with a few others donating toward scholarships. Group members donate a minimum of $1,000 each to participate in the scholarship selection process.
Based on financial need, giving circle members select roughly 15 female students yearly to receive scholarships of $250 to $3,000.
The fundraiser is sponsored by Grand Victoria Casino, Grand Victoria Foundation, Casey Family Programs and Lauderdale Electric.
Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at elgin.edu. Donors can sponsor a student recipient's attendance for $50. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact the ECC Foundation at foundation@elgin.edu or (847) 214-7377.