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Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
On behalf of Project GRAD Akron, please accept our sincere appreciation for your support of this year's Achieving Dreams' Back to School Bash! More than 300 persons attended our unique fundraiser, which was held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. Our guests had a great deal of fun and enjoyed taking a "Walk Down Memory Lane" as many relived their school days! The evening was filled with so many school day experiences and people were able to visit several locations in the Hilton to enjoy their evening. Guests enjoyed a reception on the veranda, which included a variety of delicious appetizers; interactive classroom activities (see below) with attendance stars to receive an opportunity to win 2 classroom attendance baskets filled with "school" items and gift certificates; a school store where they were able to use their math skills to bid on auction items; and so much more! Centerpieces were created using school supplies, which were re-purposed to be donated to our students and teachers. Everything from the beginning to the end of the evening had the adult student in mind, including taking class and individual photos, having their "yearbooks" signed, raffles, and a great dinner in the "cafeteria." A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the "Homecoming Court" of community leaders who competed for 60 days to raise/donate funds to support Project GRAD Akron's Scholarship Fund. We ended the evening with "physical education" by dancing the night away. All guests left the event with many cherished memories and a Project GRAD Akron lunch bag filled with "homework" and snacks.
The Achieving Dreams' Back to School Bash raised significant funds to support Project GRAD Akron! The net proceeds from sponsorships, ticket sales, advertisements, donations, raffles, and auctions were earmarked to support our programs, services, and scholarship fund! Additionally, all contributions - nearly $50,000.00 - raised/donated by members of the inaugural Homecoming Court, have been earmarked for Project GRAD Akron's scholarship fund to benefit our students at Buchtel and East of the Akron Public Schools, as well as our students who are pursuing their post-secondary education at a variety of institutions! More than 300 unique donations were made to support the members of the Homecoming Court in their efforts! Thank you to everyone who supported our organization and the students we serve from kindergarten through college! Thank you members of the Homecoming Court for being ambassadors for Project GRAD Akron!
A special thank you is extended to our committee, under the leadership of Susan Flowers; Leon Bibb of WKYC-TV, who served as the Master of Ceremonies; the members of the Homecoming Court; and all of our sponsors, staff and Board members, advertisers, ticket purchasers, auction donors, volunteers, and contributors, for your tremendous support! It is greatly appreciated! Thank you for believing in the GRAD motto that Graduation Really Achieves Dreams! We hope that you will enjoy looking at the pictures and reading our souvenir program "Yearbook"!
Sincerely,
Jacqueline A. Silas-Butler, Esq.
Executive Director
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