Parents, volunteers, students, and former students all helped mail envelopes to Southwick residents. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – The annual Southwick Dollars for Scholars event took place in the cafeteria of the Southwick Regional School on Monday night.
Since 1965, Southwick-Tolland Granville high school students, parents, past students, and volunteers help mail envelopes to every home in Southwick.
When Dollars for Scholars started, $100 was presented to the first award recipient. Last year $27,300 in scholarships was given out to 56 students at the high school.
Everyone involved realizes how it important it is for the community to reach out and help students who have an aspiration to attend college.
“It’s a big help to the kids no matter what size the scholarship,” said Judy Frenette who volunteers and whose children attended the high school in the early 2000’s.
In the envelope that is sent to all residents in town, a minimum donation of $250 is required as Southwick Dollars for Scholars will match the $250 to create the named scholarship for $500 or even more. Southwick residents also have the option to note who they would like to name the scholarship for.
The Southwick Dollars for Scholars event helps high school students have a better chance of receiving a scholarship. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Debbie Patryn, the President of Southwick Dollars for Scholars, emphasized what the main focus is for the event.
“All of the money that we raise goes back to the students,” said Patryn.
A number of current and former high school students were assisting in mailing envelopes. Julie Carroll, a freshman in college, received a scholarship for her freshmen year from the result of Dollars for Scholars.
“This was kind of a way to give back and thank the town for the scholarship,” said Carroll.
Chloe Emond, a junior at the high school, likes the number of scholarships that can be presented to students by reaching out for donations from the community.
“It’s good to see ones that really any of us can get,” said Emond.
For more information on Dollars for Scholars, e-mail [email protected].
