By Brynna Henika, photojournalist.
Delta College foundation rang in another success for its top-selling fundraiser, Chocolate Affair. The fundraiser, which took place Nov. 17, uses its proceeds to provide for Delta’s Possible Dream Program. Attendees enjoyed a wide assortment of dinner entrees, specialty drinks, cakes and a wide range of delicious desserts for guests to enjoy. Live music, provided by the local band Jedi Mind Trip, also lit up the evening’s activities.
“The event started off as something called the Holiday Preview,” says Mike Kelly, Chair of the Delta Foundation’s board.
According to Kelly, what is now named A Chocolate Affair has been currently held at the HORIZONS Conference Center for the last 5 years, and ranks high in comparison to other fundraisers in the community. Chocolate Affair also has gained many sponsors, Kelly adds that people are coming to Delta wanting to sponsor the event.
“This is the end of my first year as Chair” says Kelly. “It’s just a spectacular group that represent Bay, Saginaw, and Midland Counties.”
The Possible Dream program has been helping students achieve success since 1991. Initially, it started with only 45 students, while today, they welcome 100 students to the program each year. Possible Dream provides the students with a wide range of activities to keep the students engaged and achieve success.
“There was a summer camp I went to last year on how to be a better student, that has influenced me the most,” says Krystal Duby, from Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy.
Duby has been part of the Possible Dream program since the sixth grade, and is currently a seventh grader at SASA. She also adds that her favorite event she has been to with the program was a ballet they had attended last year.
SAT Preps, Summer Camps and Delta’s STEM day are also on the list of many opportunities the middle and high schoolers are presented with.
“It’s been a great program…the one major change is this year, we’ve been raising money for scholarships for students,” says Kelly. He also adds that there has been a great success rate with the Possible Dream program, but would like to see more students participate.