A group of dedicated parents of Carbon Career & Technical Institute (CCTI) students has joined together to establish the Friends of CCTI Fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation. The group, also named the Friends of CCTI, will work to raise money to support students beyond what the school might ordinarily be able to provide.
Donations to the Friends of CCTI Fund are fully tax-deductible and will help purchase special equipment, supplies, and uniforms. Funds will also be used to give students access to special events, like state and national competitions or special field trips.
By working with the Carbon County Community Foundation, our group was able to mobilize quickly to start raising funds to support our kids,” said Reyna Desmarais, President of Friends of CCTI. “Most CCTI grads join the workforce right after high school. Many of them have to pay for materials needed in their specialty out of pocket. These could be things like wrenches, ratchets, dual action sanders, boots, etc. Our goal is to help offset some of these expenses for students in need.”
Interested parents, alumni, and community members can contribute to the Friends of CCTI Fund in several ways. In addition to traditional cash donations, the Community Foundation is equipped to accept gifts of stock or other real property, charitable distributions from IRAs (for those 70 ½ years or older), and charitable gift annuities or trusts. Donors may opt for recognition or anonymity and can arrange to make a gift now or beyond their lifetime as part of a will or estate plan.
The Friends of CCTI are busy planning the group’s first fundraiser, a Cinco de Mayo Hoedown on May 5th at Franklin Township Fire Company. Attendees will be treated to a lesson in line-dancing before enjoying the music of Gunslinger Country Band. The event will also feature a basket auction, raffles, and food and drinks for purchase. Admission is $10 and all proceeds will go to the Friends of CCTI Fund.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Friends of CCTI group to help provide extra opportunities and support for students,” said Sharon Alexander, CCCF President. “CCTI prepares its students for the future, teaching academic, technical, and real-world skills. I think there are several CCTI alumni who are working right here in Carbon County who can see the value in supporting an effort like this.”
To volunteer with Friends of CCTI, contact them at friendsofccti@gmail.com. Contact the Carbon County Community Foundation at 610-730-2526 or info@cccfoundpa.org to discuss how you can support the Friends of CCTI Fund or any other school district, organization, or charitable cause of your choice.
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