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By Su Ann Bird
AMERICUS – South Georgia Technical College Foundation’s 2021 TechForce internal fundraiser was able to withstand the challenges of COVID-19 and still raise nearly $ 25,000 to support the Change Lives @ South Georgia Technical College student through donations from faculty and staff for scholarships , Grants, textbooks, and cutting edge equipment for educational programs.
The South Georgia Technical College Foundation started its 22nd yearnd Annual TechForce fundraiser with a faculty luncheon that included a silent auction, fun quiz game, salary deductions, and raffles for a brahmin wallet and ICON grill. These efforts resulted in donations of nearly $ 25,000 to TechForce’s Changing Lives 2021 campaign from approximately 150 faculty and staff at the SGTC Americus and Crisp County campuses.
“That was great,” said Dr. John Watford, President of South Georgia Technical College. “We couldn’t hold this event in person last year due to COVID-19 concerns, but this year, while we were still cautious and socially distant, we were able to honor our faculty and staff and give back to change the lives of ours Students and the people who live and work in our communities. I would like to thank SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Vanessa Wall and Academic Dr. Thank you David Finley for your guidance in running this event. “
Approximately 150 full- and part-time employees participated in the “Changing Lives @ South Georgia Tech†fundraiser through wage deduction donations, bids for silent auction items, or donations to the foundation as part of the internal part of the TechForce 2021 kickoff.
SGTC staff also participated in the Changing Lives @ South Georgia Tech activity through an email quiz game that highlighted people who had helped change the lives of those who worked at South Georgia Technical College . The 10 winners of the daily email trivia games received prizes and the right to participate in the quiz game along with fellow instructors and staff on the day of the TechForce Silent Auction and lunch. The 10 winners of the daily email were: Danyel Tobias, Kari Bodrey, Terri Smith, Briana Greenberg, Stephanie Preskit, Kelly Everett, Candie Walters, Brittany Rogers, Gloria Bell and Ricky Watzlowick.
The team of Kelly Everett, Candie Walters, and Khelan McGhee took first place in the game at lunch. Nancy Fitzgerald, Kevin Beaver and Christine Rundle took second place and Kari Bodrey, Charlene Williams and Rose Leverette took third place in the “Get A Clue†quiz game.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford can be seen upstairs with the two Adirondack chairs and tables he made for employees to offer during the SGTC TechForce Employee Silent Auction.
Photo by Su Ann Bird
The co-chairs of the SGTC Internal TechForce Committee, Vanessa Wall and Dr. David Finley, ran the daily email quiz competition and TechForce Championship quiz game. They were assisted by members of the internal committee, Leah Cannady, Pat Peacock, Teresa McCook, Minnie Williamson, Tami Blount, Nancy Fitzgerald, Chester Taylor, Kyle Hartsfield, Michelle McGowan, Jennifer Robinson, Kari Bodrey, Katrice Taylor, Lillie Ann Winn, Eulish Kinchens and Virgilia Edge.
Around 60 employees took home great prizes at the silent auction. Almost 200 items were available to the employees for bidding and over 800 bids were submitted. Vickie Austin of the Americus Campus won the brahmin wallet raffle donated by Dillard’s and Pat Peacock won the large ICON grill donated by Westover Outdoor Power Equipment. The raffle raised over US $ 1,700.
Each year, the South Georgia Technical College Foundation hosts a TechForce campaign to raise funds for various programs and projects on the Americus and Crisp County Centers campuses. The TechForce 2021 campaign is currently running and the theme is “Changing Lives @ South Georgia Tech!”
All equipment, scholarships, and textbook donations during the SGTC Foundation TechForce 2021 fundraiser are matched dollar for dollar through federal and state grants, as well as the Technical College System of Georgia. This helps to offer the students opportunities for personnel development.
This year, the Foundation’s goal is to raise $ 250,000 to provide students with free textbooks, grants for academically deserved and disadvantaged students, and state-of-the-art equipment for Law Enforcement Academy, practical nursing, medical assistance who have favourited EMT and horticultural programs
“The South Georgia Technical College Foundation is an integral part of the success of our college,” said Dr. John Watford, President of South Georgia Technical College. “We appreciate the support we receive from our employees and the community through the foundation’s fundraising campaigns. Over 36 different programs have benefited directly from the past 21 TechForce drives with additional state-of-the-art equipment. The entire college and community have benefited from the scholarships and use of free student textbooks. These donations have also helped renovate the James Hall and Martin Hall residences and renovate the former DOAS Surplus Building converted into an adult education classroom and the classrooms and laboratories of the John Deere TECH agricultural engineering and motorsport program. We appreciate the support of our boards of directors, faculties, employees and community partners for helping with Changing Lives at South Georgia Tech. “
The TechForce 2021 fundraiser is off to a good start with the help of staff, business and industry partners, and local supporters who have donated items for the SGTC Foundation’s internal TechForce drive, lunch and silent auction. Every year nearly 100% of SGTC employees contribute to the TechForce campaign through wage deductions or direct donations.
Approximately $ 650,000 of the over $ 5.6 million raised through TechForce campaigns over the past 21 years was donated by faculties and staff at South Georgia Technical College.
Members of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and the SGTC board of directors, as well as other volunteers, will continue calling community leaders this year asking for support for the fundraiser. Postcards and sales letters were sent to community leaders asking for help. SGTC Foundation Board of Trustees and Development Committee Chairman John Argo leads the TechForce 2021 initiative for the foundation
For more information about the TechForce 2021 fundraiser or to donate to the foundation, contact Su Ann Bird, Executive Director of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and SGTC Vice President, Institutional Funding, at 229.931.2110 or [email protected] .
Despite the COVID-19 challenges, over 120 different individuals and companies from the South Georgia Technical College service area donated items for the staff’s silent auction. These companies and individuals included: Dillard’s, Miller-NAPA Auto Parts, Westover Outdoor Power Equipment, Dr. John and Barbara Watford, Faith Harnum, Dorothea’s, Aramark, Brett Murray, J&J Oil Change, Tami Blount, Clinic Drug Store, Terri Schlacht-Avon; Vanessa Wall, Southwest Trophy and Gifts, SGTC Culinary Arts, Mary Kay – Jennifer Rogers, Melissa Grantham, SGTC Bookstore, Wolf Creek Winery, Pat’s Place, Clinic Drug Store, Shiver Lumber Company, Sumter EMC, Sally’s Nails, Minnie Williamson, 16- East Cordele, Pat Peacock Dr. Ray M. Duke, Tami Blount, Chef Ricky Watzlowick, Drivers Propane, Motivational Barber Shop, Olivia Wilson, Adams Drug Company, Madison Rebecca Photography, Ginx Boutique, Shannon Blanchard Photography, Southwest Georgia Wholesale, TJ’s Italian American Restaurant, Tender Heart Co. – Racheal Newberry, Valerie Duff, Scentsy, Topiaries, Simpson Lawn Care, Southern Exposures, Nancy Gerlach, Kathy & Company Boutique, SGTC Buchhandlung, SGTC Adult Education, Café Campesino, Horne Pecan Company, Central Automotive, Harper’s Animal Clinic, Shell Rapid Lube, Sweet Magnolia Photography, Tupperware by Paula, Jeff Williams Art Prints, Sis & Savy Boutique, Griffin Bell Golf & Conference, Southern Express Lube / Shell, Chad Brown, Na talie Bradley Home, Kenya Wills, Surcheros, Monroe’s, Mia’s Minis, Sherri Martin , El Girasol Restaurant, Quick Sweet Treats- Felicia Young, Roman Oven, Sandy Larson, Americus SGTC Culinary Arts, La Hacinda, Minick Interiors, Clinic Drug Store, Keith Landers Party Supply Rentals, Find and Shine Boutique, Su Ann Bird, Sumter EMC, Rob and Cate Bailey, Pettis Tire Company, Pretty Penny Creations, Dorotheas Hairdressing Salon, SGTC Precision Machining, 2 Dukes BBQ, The Sheppard House, Aramark, Gammage Print Shop, Brett Murray, Southern Boutique, TG’s Cakes & Cookies, Dr. John and Barbara Watford, Adams Drug Store, T31 / Tupuy, 13NS Colony Distillery, Fellowship Baptist Church, Gatewood’s Flower Shop, J&J Oil Change, and 1800 Mexican Restaurant.
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