2009 marked the sixth year for the scholarship fund. The mission of the fund is threefold:
1. to provide financial assistance to Gloria Dei's college students
2. to provide a continuing connection to the church after students graduate from high school
3. to provide fun and fellowship to the congregation
In the past six years, we have awarded 52 college scholarships of $1000 each. The following young people were 2009 recipients:
Alicia Budahl Bryce Humphries
Kaelin Ellis Thomas Nagel
Curtis Ferris Megan Schwegel
Ryan Ferris Warren Weber
Leif Hagen Patrick Wolverton
Each successful scholarship applicant must be a member of Gloria Dei in good standing, attend an accredited post-secondary institution, and write a faith statement. In addition, recipients must do fifteen hours of volunteer work in a capacity of the student's choosing.
Two funding sources—various fundraising events and individual contributions—support the scholarship fund.
Despite the economic downturn in the Anchorage area, fundraising efforts continued to be a success in 2009. In October, we hosted the fourth annual "Harvest Dinner and Auction" at the Anchorage Sheraton. Net proceeds from that event were approximately $15,000. In addition to the auction / dinner, Gloria Dei musicians produced a Christmas CD entitled "Glorious Day: A Gloria Dei Christmas Collection." Our first CD, "All Things Possible," and Gloria Dei cookbooks continue to be available for purchase as well.
The fifth annual dinner and auction is scheduled for Friday, October 22, 2010, at the Anchorage Sheraton.
It is the hope of the committee that the fund will eventually grow into a self-perpetuating endowment.
Many thanks are due to Gloria Dei members and friends who continue to give so generously of their time, talent, and dollars in support of the youth of our faith community.