Fundraiser dinner supports single parents
by December 5, 2010 2:23 pm 55 views
story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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About 80 people gathered at the Holiday Inn City Center for a buffet dinner to support the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Crawford and Sebastian Counties on Saturday (Dec. 4) evening.
The event was held prior to a performance by the Fort Smith Symphony, which allowed SPSF supporters to have a meal and then walk the short distance to the performing arts center of the Fort Smith Convention Center for the symphony performance.
It was a quiet event as guests mingled and talked among friends and new acquaintances while peaceful harp music, performed by Hollye Dickinson, filled the air. Proceeds from the $40/person event will be applied toward future scholarships.
All 75 counties in Arkansas participate in the SPSF program. The program receives funds from grants, foundations and fundraising events. Each semester, SPSF of Crawford and Sebastian Counties awards 50 scholarships ranging from $437.50 to $750 depending on the student’s credit hours, said Executive Director Linda Kaufenberg. Additionally, ten summer semester scholarships are awarded in the amount of $250 each.
"It has helped me tremendously because it more or less helped provide an additional income because I’m a full-time student but I work two part-time jobs and taking care of 3 children; it’s not very easy," said Thelma Russell, a scholarship recipient in attendance.
Russell came to Fort Smith five years ago as a Hurricane Katrina evacuee. She was attending community college in New Orleans and continues her education at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She will graduate this semester with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Russell, who has five children (two of them grown), has been affiliated with SPSF for the past three years.
To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours (except during summer semester), have a 2.0 GPA upon application and maintain that GPA at midterm. Sole custody of a child under age 18 is also a requirement.
The funds are presented directly to the student with half dispensed at the start of the semester and the remainder at midterm. The money can be used in any way the student deems fit — often it is applied to living expenses, transportation needs, child care costs or an unforeseen emergency expense.
Kaufenberg said 86% of recipients either graduated or stayed in school as of 2009. This year there are 16 graduating SPSF students.
In addition to the monetary benefits, students are paired up with a mentor who provides them with both guidance and encouragement during their academic career.
Prospective candidates fill out an application and proceed to an interview process with at least one SPSF board member present. The scholarship committee then reviews the scores on the interviews and presents its recommendations to the board of directors. Students who are accepted in the program are given preference but new applicants are admitted on a space-available basis.
