About 300 people on March 28 attended the Jefferson College Foundation’s annual “Lights…Camera…Auction!” event, which raised nearly $100,000 for the organization.
Laura Villmer, development specialist for Jefferson College, said the foundation collected $95,000. She said last year the organization collected $83,000 from the event, which is held in the Jefferson College Field House on the Hillsboro campus.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Viking Fund, which helps students through scholarships, teaching innovations, updated technology, comprehensive programs and facility improvements, she said.
This year’s event, which included online and live auctions, also featured a cocktail hour, music from the Jefferson College Jazz Band, raffles, and jewelry, liquor and wine pulls.
Some of the live auction items included: a six-night stay at Gulf Shores; a bourbon-tasting event with Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey; and a five-course meal for up to 20 people catered by the Jefferson College Culinary Arts program.
Bob Brazzle, a physics and engineering professor, said money from the event has helped his department in the past.
“Obviously, we have a budget,” he said. “My department has a budget, (but) there are different ways that we can go about getting things that are one-time purchases. The foundation is cool because they kick in with stuff that you sort of maybe don’t realize you need.”
It also helps students directly, he said.
This year, Brazzle will be one of many attending the college’s annual exchange trip to Germany. He said the foundation can assist students in affording this type of learning experience.
Villmer said they received a lot of compliments at the event from guests.
“They said that they had a great time, the food was excellent, and I heard that the desserts were excellent, too,” Villmer said.
“I just think everybody had a great time and that it was a lot of fun, everything went pretty smoothly.”
