Selkirk College Adult Special Education (ASE) students in the Lower Columbia region have hit the streets looking to raise funds for their program and build skills in the process.
The Selkirk College Gala 2013 is slated for Nov. 23 and this year the task of putting together the auction table has been handed to the ASE students. Classes from Rossland and Trail, as well as Nelson, Castlegar and Grand Forks, have hit the ground running with their mission to raise funds for the college and their specific programs.
The ASE program is for adults with disabilities and barriers to learning. Personal and social development underlies all aspects of the program. Goals for learning are developed specific to each student’s needs.
Each year the annual Selkirk College Gala provides an opportunity for one of the college’s programs to use the auction portion of the evening as a fundraiser. In 2012 the Gala auction raised $10,000 for the benefit of the International Department.
The annual Gala takes place at Nelson’s Mary Hall on the Tenth Street Campus. It includes a five-course meal prepared by the professional cook training program and served by Hotel and restaurant management students. Entertainment for the evening is provided by Selkirk’s music and technology program students.
ASE students in all four communities have embraced the challenge of approaching businesses and individuals for donations of auction items.
Once the final totals are in after the Gala evening, the ASE program will receive the bulk of the funds raised. Students have two targets for the monies raised: creating an adult special education scholarship and hosting a regional adult special education student conference.
The scholarship will help ASE students move on to other college programs. The conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is an expansion of a trip the program has made for 20 years which focuses on students learning through formal workshops and through the experience of planning and traveling together.
To donate auction items or for tickets to the Selkirk College Gala 2013 , contact Joyce Buckler at 250-365-1360.