GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College Foundation invites the community to its annual fundraising dinner in support of the GCC Impact Fund, which helps ensure students have the resources they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
The event, called “Building Bridges & Belonging: GCC’s Celebration of Community,” will take place Thursday, March 5, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in GCC’s Cohn Family Dining Commons. Tickets are $50 per person and registration is required by Feb. 23.
The evening will feature a catered dinner, a cash bar, and the presentation of awards recognizing outstanding GCC alumni and community partners. Attendees will also hear from current GCC students about how the college has influenced their educational journeys and lives.
“It is a delight to bring together so many remarkable people from the GCC community each year,” Alexis Page, executive director of the GCC Foundation, said in a statement. “The evening always leaves attendees with a glow from the shared commitment to improving lives through education.”
This year’s Community Catalyst Award, presented to someone who demonstrates exemplary community service and leadership, will be given to Wendy Sibbison. Drawing inspiration from a Greenfield Recorder column by GCC student Michael Hannigan about food insecurity, Sibbison encouraged Franklin Community Co-op member-owners to donate more than $10,000 to support GCC’s Food Pantry.
This year’s Community Champion Award will be presented to the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, which provides free employment and training services throughout the region. MassHire routinely collaborates with GCC to host career fairs on campus, where students can network and connect with potential employers.
In celebration of the achievements of GCC graduates, GCC will also honor alumni. Thomas Crossman, Class of 2011, will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his professional accomplishments and contributions since graduating from GCC.
The Young Alumni in Action Award will be presented to Christian LaPlante, Class of 2019, who was recently named Franklin County’s first downtown district coordinator. LaPlante serves in this newly created role as part of a pilot project to strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of downtown Northfield, Turners Falls and Shelburne Falls.
For more information about “Building Bridges & Belonging: GCC’s Celebration of Community” or to register, visit gccfor.me/bridges.