PCC Foundation Reports Spring Fundraising Success

WINTERVILLE—The Pitt Community College Foundation took a creative approach to its fundraising activities this spring to generate more than $26,000 for student scholarships while keeping participants safe from the dangers presented by COVID-19.

“I’m happy with the success of our spring fundraisers and extremely grateful for the individuals and businesses that supported these events during a difficult time for people around the world,” said PCC Foundation Executive Director Beth Sigmon. “A little more than a year into the pandemic, we’re seeing greater student demand for financial assistance at a time when the virus has made fundraising, in general, extremely difficult.”

In March, PCC’s chief fundraising organization held its first-ever Food Truck Fair at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. The two-day event featured a variety of food items, including Bill’s Hotdogs, Hawaiian and Mexican cuisine, and sweet treats, like cotton candy, funnel cakes and Kona Ice.

“The Food Truck Fair ended up raising more than $9,200 for PCC students and educational activities,” said PCC Annual Fund/Alumni Director John Bacon. “It was great exposure for the PCC Foundation and the college, and we’re thankful to the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and attendees who helped make it a success.”

Less than a month after the fair, the foundation raised more than $17,000 through the Outdoor Living Tour & “Chair-ity” Auction. The brand new event was essentially a combination of three fundraisers—online chair auction, plant sale, and tour of outdoor living spaces—that took place April 17.

PCC Events Specialist Erin Greenleaf said the foundation auctioned off more than 50 unique chairs during the event and sold more than 100 tickets to individuals to tour five beautifully landscaped properties in the Greenville area. She said the plant sale, which benefitted the foundation and the college’s Horticulture Technology program, also did well.

“The PCC Foundation’s loyal supporters stepped up and played a significant role in the event’s success, including our premium sponsors: Grady-White Boats, Institutional Interiors and Bob 93.3,” Greenleaf said. “I am so thankful for the members of our community who decorated and donated chairs for the auction, the owners of the properties featured on the outdoor tour, and the PCC music students who performed throughout the day.”

Sigmon said the coronavirus pandemic factored heavily into planning for this spring’s PCC Foundation fundraisers.

“After canceling the in-person portion of our 2020 spring fundraiser due to the coronavirus outbreak, we knew we had to make health safety the main focus of our event planning this spring,” she said. “As a result, the PCC Foundation Board determined this year’s spring events would take place outside, knowing the virus isn’t spread as easily outdoors and to give participants sufficient space for social distancing.

“It was a great decision that led to good participation at both of our events and resulted in scholarship funding that will make a significant impact on the lives of many Pitt Community College students.”

05/10/2021