Let’s Go Gatsby, with all the glitz and glamour of the roaring 20s is the theme for the third annual Thompson Rivers University fundraising gala coming up on Saturday, March 29 at the Williams Lake campus.
The event is organized by TRU GRIT, a group of business individuals dedicated to giving back to their community by raising money for student scholarships and awards.
“It’s important for Williams Lake to have a local option for post-secondary,” says Jay Cheek, last year’s gala chair said in announcing this year’s event.
“I have hopes that, in the future, TRU - Williams Lake will become a degree granting institution and that raising awareness will help us get there.”
This year the group hopes to raise $30,000 for the fund. TD Bank has been named a Gold level sponsor, donating $5,000 towards this year’s fundraising event.
The past few galas have raised $50,000, enough to offer 22 local students scholarships and awards.
Last year’s award recipient, Willa Julius, was thrilled to receive a $2,000 TRU GRIT Entrance Award to go towards her education.
“I’m currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Program at TRU with future goals to become a registered nurse,” Julius says. “The staff and tutors are very friendly at TRU and student resources are plentiful. I was grateful to receive the award to help with my education.”
Jacquelynn Sollid was another recipient of a $2,000 TRU GRIT Entrance Award.
She is working towards her Bachelor of Arts Degree.
“I was excited when I found out I was receiving an award. It meant I was going to be able to start preparing for my dream job, while being able to stay close to home. It made things easier for me,” Sollid says.
TRU gala designer Julie Vincent is working to impress a crowd with all the glitz and glamour that goes with the 1920s Let’s go Gatsby theme.
The evening will feature cocktails, dinner and dancing along with a live and silent auction. Vancouver’s best party band will take the stage for you to dance the night away.
Tickets are $120 per person and are available at TRU.