The Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund has been helping Cape students achieve their dreams for more than two decades.
It provides $1,500 to high school seniors pursuing two- or four-year degrees from a college or university.
Funding for the scholarships comes from several sources, including corporate sponsors and fund-raisers.
One fund-raiser, A Night at the Theatre, was held Thursday at the Cultural Park Theatre, where supporters dined and caught an evening performance of “Steel Magnolias.”
Board president Karen Baker said the organization has been trying to think outside of the box when it comes to fund-raisers, thus Thursday’s event was born.
“Normally we have this in February, but we decided to think outside of the box and move it to October,” she said. “We’re exploring different avenues … allowing us to get sponsors for tonight, for the food and the theater.”
Baker said they were hoping to raise $1,500 Thursday, enough to cover a single scholarship.
Last year the group gave away 13 scholarships, down from the 20 scholarships awarded, on average.
All students who apply go through a rigorous interview process. Last year 76 students applied for scholarship assistance.
At the heart of the scholarship fund is not only helping students to achieve their goals, but also building future leaders through positive reinforcement.
As the Cape has been constantly used as the poster child for the foreclosure crisis and unemployment, the people at the Mayor’s Scholarship Fund want to remind the community that positivity exists — in the students vying for the scholarships.
“That’s what makes Cape Coral so special,” said Lenora Marshall, a board member. “When I was interviewing these kids, I was just so humbled.”
To learn more about the Mayor’s Scholarship Fund, or to make a donation, visit the Web site at: www.capecoralmayorscholarshipfund.com or call 574-0436.