The Germanna Community College Educational Foundation raised more than $220,000 through the 22nd Annual Scholarship Monte Carlo Night Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. Last year’s earnings were $200,000, and $150,000 was raised in 2014, said GCC spokesperson Mike Zitz.
A crowd of more than 300 filled GCC’s Daniel Center for mock gambling including blackjack, roulette and slot machines, and enjoyed music, dancing, food and libations.
Much of the record sum was personally raised by businessman Joe Daniel, a longtime Germanna supporter and foundation board member for whom the Daniel Center is named.
GCC President David A, Sam said the Germanna Scholars program in Culpeper receives support from Scholarship Monte Carlo Night funds. That program, founded in 2014 by Joe and Linda Daniel, gives Culpeper and Eastern View High School students the chance to earn associate’s degrees by the time they graduate from high school, and transfer to a university as college juniors. The first cohort of 22 Germanna Scholars will graduate on May 12, 2016, at the University of Mary Washington’s Anderson Center.
Funds from the event also support Germanna’s nursing program and students.
Among the prizes Saturday night were a three-day trip to New York City including air fare, hotel and $500 in spending money. Silent auction items included a “Top Gun” experience as a fighter pilot in a military aircraft, a family trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. and trips to San Francisco and Napa Valley.
