The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor continues to help Washtenaw Community College students reach their finish line.
The philanthropic organization presented the WCC Foundation a check for $117,020 during a recent luncheon that brought club members together with some of the student recipients of the Kiwanis Finish Line Scholarship that their generosity funds.
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“When I think of the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, one word comes to mind: commitment,” WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca told club members gathered in the Morris Lawrence Building on Tuesday, October 14. “Your scholarship fund is one of the most inspiring examples of commitment to young people, to education and to building a stronger future.”
Kiwanis, which has been awarding college scholarships to local students since the early 1990s, designated the WCC Foundation as the sole recipient of its scholarship budget seven years ago. That initial donation of $70,000 in 2018 has increased each year since.
In 2024, 34 WCC students received full-ride scholarships from the WCC Foundation that were fully funded by Kiwanis.
“The Kiwanis Club’s mission is clear: to help local students earn their degrees faster and with less financial burden,” said WCC Chief Philanthropy Officer Nikki Borges. “Thanks to their continued generosity and dedication, that mission is being fulfilled every day. We’re truly thankful for their partnership and commitment to student success.”
The endowed Kiwanis Scholarship at WCC covers tuition and books for a full academic year for full-time student recipients and has an approximate value of $3,500 per year. Students can keep the scholarship for up to three years if they maintain a 2.0 GPA and stay on pace for completion.
Approximately one-quarter of the funds are raised at the Kiwanis Thrift Sale, which offers in-store shopping at 100 N. Staebler Road in Ann Arbor. The store is located off Jackson Road, one mile west of Zeeb.
The remaining three-quarters come directly from individual donations by Kiwanis members, volunteers and other individuals.
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For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, visit a2kiwanisfoundation.org. For information about donating items to the thrift sale, email [email protected].
Tags: Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Scholarships, WCC Foundation