This fall, two of our biggest fundraisers landed eight days apart, and we are grateful to everyone who made them happen.
On October 10, our friends at Alveare Winery in Carnation, Washington hosted Pouring for a Purpose. Xander put the night together with a crew of volunteers, and it raised $2,500 for Ascend. About $200 of that came from employers matching their employees’ gifts through Benevity, so if your company matches donations, it is worth a look. Xander has already told us he wants to run it again next year.
On October 18, our board member Mark Anderson held his benefit concert in Chicago. This year was our best yet as donors showed their support by giving $4,300. The concert covers about half of what it costs to run Ascend for a year. Thank you to Mark, to everyone who played and to everyone who came out.
So where does the money go? The concert goes toward our yearly costs, and most of that is paying our coaches, tutors and staff in The Gambia. Pouring for a Purpose lets us try something new. Next summer we hope to run a camp that is open to kids from all over Kombo, not just our Academy students. Alhagie and the team are working out the details now, and we will share more as plans come together.
Next up is our Student Sponsorship campaign in January. $100 sponsors one student for the year: their school uniform, books and tutoring. The bracket challenge is back in March. Can’t make either one? $10 a month covers a student’s year.
Thank you for being in our corner. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more photos and updates.