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California Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser Set for October 2

September 22, 2004
First Central Valley Walk for Education Set for October 2 College Fair Showcases Local Colleges and Universities

Kara Lapish,
California Dollars for Scholars
(800) 335-4504

or
Cheri Cruz,
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium
(559) 292-0104

FRESNO — The Easy Spirit Freedom Walk for Scholarship America, benefiting California Dollars for Scholars, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2 at California State University, Fresno. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Save Mart Center. The walk, which tours the Fresno State campus, starts at 9 a.m. The honorary chairman for the walk is Dr. John D. Welty, president of Fresno State and the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC).

Everyone interested in supporting Valley students or learning more about college-going opportunities is invited to participate.

“We encourage community participation in the Dollars for Scholars walk at Fresno State to raise local scholarship money for students in the Valley who otherwise might not attend college,” said Welty. “Whether you walk or donate, you are helping make the future brighter for our young people.”

Presented in partnership with CVHEC, the event also includes a college fair. Representatives from College of the Sequoias, Fresno City College, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno State, Merced College, UC Mercedand West Hills Community College will answer questions about their campuses. UC Merced Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey will be available to speak with students interested in attending the new UC Campus, which will open next year.

A recent study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education reports that the cost of higher education is less affordable for families than it was a decade ago. The rising cost of attending college has outpaced the growth in family income, according to the report.

“Higher education in California is one of the best bargains in the country,” said Welty. “Due to rising costs though, scholarships are more important now than ever before.”

Dollars for Scholars is a network of community-based, volunteer-led scholarship chapters throughout the country, 60 of which are in California. Chapter volunteers provide financial aid and academic support for their local students, enabling those students to continue their education beyond high school.

Easy Spirit, a line of women's athletic shoes and clothing, is the title sponsor of 10 Freedom Walks from coast to coast.

The Fresno walk for education offers a unique opportunity for Dollars for Scholars chapters to keep 100 percent of the donations they receive for local scholarships. Central Valley Dollars for Scholars chapters include Dollars for Scholars in Madera; University High School Dollars for Scholars in Fresno; Clovis High School Cougar Foundation; Clovis East High School Timberwolves Foundation; Hallmark's Dollars for Scholars in Sanger; Woodlake High School Foundation Dollars for Scholars; Farmersville Dollars for Scholars; and Dollars for Scholars Migrant Education in Tulare and Kings Counties.

Collegiate Partners are schools that pledge to maximize, and sometimes even match, Dollars for Scholars scholarships. These schools are invited to take part in the walk to raise money to match the Dollars for Scholars awards of students who enroll at their campuses. The Collegiate Partners in the Central Valley are College of the Sequoias, CSU Bakersfield, Fresno City College, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno State University, Merced College, Reedley College, UC Mercedand University of the Pacific.

Dollars for Scholars is working together with its community chapters, Collegiate Partners, and Central Valley Higher Education Consortium to increase college attendance in the region.

For more information about the walk or to participate, please call (559) 292-0576 or visit: www.walkforeducation.org.

Entertainment at the Oct. 2 walk in Fresno will be provided by Y101 FM, the University High School Jazz Band, the Fresno City Fire Department and Timeout, the Fresno State mascot. In addition, a silent auction and prize drawing will be held. Balance Bar, Amber Foods, Starbucks, Sweet Tomatoes and Krispy Kreme have donated food.

Brenda Ortiz

Senior Public Information Representative

Office: (209) 228-4203

Mobile: (209) 628-8263

bortiz@ucmerced.edu