Foundation Changes Fundraiser Format Due to Coronavirus Concerns

WINTERVILLE—The Pitt Community College Foundation has significantly changed the format of its spring scholarship fundraiser in response to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for mitigating the spread of coronavirus.

Instead of gathering at The Cotton Barn in Winterville on March 20, PCC’s chief fundraising organization elected to move forward with the event’s online auction only.

“The health and safety of our supporters, volunteers and staff is our top priority, so from that standpoint, changing the event format was an easy decision,” said PCC Foundation Executive Director Beth Sigmon. “We would love to have been able to see and thank our supporters in person at The Cotton Barn, but it was much more important for us to exercise caution.”

The online auction will begin March 23 at 8 a.m. and run until 8 p.m. on April 5. Items up for bid can be viewed by visiting http://bit.ly/springauction2020. Items can be viewed in person by making an appointment with PCC Event Coordinator Erin Greenleaf at egreenleaf@email.pittcc.edu or (252) 493-7496.

“The spring scholarship auction is one of the PCC Foundation’s most important fundraisers each year,” said Marianne Cox, PCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “Revenue generated through the event will directly support PCC student scholarships and numerous educational activities at the college during the 2020-21 academic year.”

Cox thanked event sponsors—Smith Funeral Service and Crematory, Ward & Smith, P.A., and Wells Fargo—for continuing their support of the fundraiser despite the change in format. She also encouraged the community to support the auction by bidding on items and sharing news of the event through social media.

03/20/2020