By Charlotte Smith
Photos Courtesy of BCC’s Facebook Page
On Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Bladen Community College (BCC) Foundation hosted its highly anticipated annual Foundation Dinner, and the event did not disappoint. With over 250 tickets sold, the evening was marked by a spirit of celebration, community, and extraordinary generosity.
Barbara Knight, with the BCC Foundation, expressed her delight at the turnout and the overwhelming support from the community, saying, “It was a wonderful event, and we have a lot of new supporters this year.” The BCC Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting the college’s mission and initiatives, and the success of the annual dinner is a testament to the community’s dedication to education.
One of the evening’s most touching moments came from Ricky Leinwand, a member of the *Bladen Community College Board of Trustees and a local business owner in Elizabethtown. He shared some history about the local Jewish community, who sold their synagogue in Whiteville and chose to donate the proceeds to local agencies that had positively influenced their lives. “We were able to give $100,000 to the BCC Foundation,” Leinwand announced. He added that the board would decide how to allocate the funds, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community.
The Foundation Dinner took place at the charming Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, setting the stage for an evening of fine dining and camaraderie. While the final tally of donations is still pending, Knight expressed her satisfaction with the event’s outcome, calling it a resounding success.
Sondra Guyton, another representative from Bladen Community College, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Right now, we are still waiting for more invoices to come in, but it is really shaping up to be the best one ever. The attendance was very good, and the live auction did well.”
A significant highlight of the evening was the recognition of two 2023 Outstanding Community Partners: Bladen We Care and Cape Fear Valley Health System. These organizations have played an essential role in supporting the community and the college’s mission, and their contributions were celebrated and acknowledged during the dinner with awards presentations.
For those looking to take home a piece of the event, a special edition of White Dog BBQ Sauce is available for purchase at just $20 a bottle. This barbecue sauce is a collaboration between BCC and Cape Fear Winery, and it’s a tasty way to show support for the college and its Foundation. Call the Foundation at 910-879-5634 to reserve your order.
Mark your calendars for another exciting event in support of the BCC Foundation. On December 31, Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery will host a Midnight Masquerade charitable event. A portion of the ticket sales from this event will be generously donated back to the Foundation. The event starts at 7 PM and promises to be a memorable way to ring in the New Year. To purchase tickets, visit the winery’s website linked here.
Donations for the Foundation continue to be accepted. Those interested in contributing can do so by mailing a check to P.O. Box 384, Dublin, NC, 28332, or by visiting the Bladen Community Foundation’s webpage at https://www.bladencc.edu/
In conclusion, the Bladen Community College Foundation’s annual dinner was a resounding success, with the local community coming together to celebrate the spirit of generosity and education. The evening was a testament to the power of giving back and supporting the institutions that shape our community. The future looks bright for BCC, thanks to the unwavering support of its partners and community members.
*When first published, Leinwand was listed as a Bladen County Trustee, but he is a Bladen Community College Board of Trustees member.
*The auction was not a silent auction but a live auction.
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