Gala Raises $90K For Student Emergency Fund At Bucks Community College

NEWTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Community College Foundation raised more than $90,000 at its first ever fall gala in support of the Bucks Students Emergency Fund.

The special gala evening, “Celebrating Student Success,” featured a cocktail hour inside the dining room at Tyler Mansion and at the Orangery, a sit down dinner in the Tyler Gardens and dancing to the Uptown Band.

But more importantly it raised money for students in need of a hand up, said Christina McGinley, the Executive Director of the BCCC Foundation.

“The Bucks Students Emergency Fund is a lifeline to our students in need and another way we show our students that we care,” said McGinley. “We care if they are struggling to afford groceries. We care if a car repair disrupts their capacity to drive to campus. We care if their utilities are shut off. And we care if childcare concerns outweigh the ability to focus on their studies.

“We were so proud to celebrate our inaugural Celebrating Student Success gala,” said McGinley. “Together with college leadership, our supporters, alumni, community members, and friends, we raised significant funds to benefit such a meaningful and worthy cause. Sometimes scholarship
support for tuition is not enough for students who are struggling to make ends meet and who are working tirelessly toward achieving their educational goals. We know that earning a degree or credential is life changing. Thanks to everyone who played a role in a future success story!”

The emergency fund was established in 2021 to provide micro grants to students facing financial burdens like car repairs, car payments, child care, trouble paying the rent or mounting bills.

Those outside financial barriers, said Dr. Felicia Ganther, the president of BCCC, have nothing to do with completing assignments, attending classes and studying, but they can be a barrier to students in achieving success.

“We want to make sure that whatever those barriers are we can provide funding and resources to help them to overcome so that it doesn’t become a barrier that prevents then from being successful,” said Ganther.

According to Ganther, the foundation is planning to hold the fundraising gala every other year in support of the Student Emergency Fund.

“The support tonight from the community has been incredible,” said Ganther. “It’s an awareness of the diamond that exists in this community and the need to support it. We got it right here. People don’t have to go anywhere.”

Croydon resident Lateefat Adewale, a business and innovation major at Bucks and the president of the colleges student government association, was among a handful of students who were volunteering their time at the gala to greet and escort guests.

“We’re here to represent the student body and to put a face to the people we are raising money for,” she said. “It’s important to keep in mind that we’re dealing with students who come from all walks of life and circumstances and these micro grants will really help them out.

“If there is one thing that comes to mind when I talk about Bucks is that it always puts students first,” she said. “And the Students Emergency Fund is a good example of that. They are always trying to make sure that the students receive their education no matter their circumstances.”

Freshman Galilea Garcia-Gutierrez, of Lower Bucks and a recipient of a micro grant, is studying computer science at Bucks with future dreams of becoming a video game developer.

“With the grant I was able to pay off all my classes that I needed to take this semester so I don’t have the worry of taking out a loan,” said Garcia-Gutierrez. “I also had some money left over so I used that to buy the books I needed for my classes.

“It feels great to see all the people coming out tonight to support this fund. I know there are a lot of other people who can also use the money,” said Garcia-Gutierrez.

In addition to supporting the emergency fund, the foundation took a moment to recognize Gladys Mendieta White and Bob White for establishing a new scholarship for Hispanic, Latino and Latina students. The scholarship will be awarded every year in perpetuity.

“Bob and Gladys have done so much for the Lower Bucks community throughout their lifetime,” said McGinley. “Their investment in the community college and our students means a lot to us.“