By Brynna Henika, photojournalist.
The Delta College foundation presents its top rated yearly event, the Chocolate Affair. This will be making its annual return, Nov 17. The fundraiser, which supports Delta College’s Possible Dream Program, will take place at the HORIZONS Conference Center, located in Saginaw.
Chocolate Affair is an event held in November of each year that gives attendees the opportunity to enjoy: live music, food and drinks, time with friends, and of course, a wide selection of sweet treats. The ultimate goal of the fundraiser is to raise a $2 million endowment to provide the continuing growth the program needs. There is a selection of either VIP ($125 per person), or General Admission ($65 per person) tickets available for purchase. VIP ticket buyers will be presented the opportunity to order from the event’s premium menu, and the ability to order from an exclusive martini bar from 6-7 p.m. General Admission entry is at 7 p.m., but will still give attendees the chance to enjoy the event’s many sweets and entertainment.
Delta’s Possible Dream Program has been helping students achieve success since its first graduating high school class in 1998, celebrating its 25 anniversary this year. The idea based on the actions of a New York philanthropist who created the success of the Harlem Program. The Harlem Program gave a group of New York sixth graders the chance to complete high school and attend college.
The concept of Delta’s Possible Dream program is to select up to 100 sixth graders, and give them the opportunity to grow and create their futures.
“The first two years of the program it was 45 students, now it’s 100 each year,” Barber adds, in regards to the growth of the program.
Students selected are those who lack the financial resources, or are at economic risk, to make continuing education possible.
“A lot of these kids are going to be the first generation to go to school,” says Barber.
Students are nominated by local schools, or through Delta’s new self-nomination process. Those selected are then presented with many opportunities that will help strengthen their ability for scholarship priority and success.
“We’ve helped over 2,000 students in our 25 years,” says Mary Harding, Coordinator of Special Events, such as Chocolate Affair, and Scholarships.
A wide range of activities that are free to those part of the Possible Dream Program, such as Delta’s STEM event, are funded generously by the attendees and sponsors of the Chocolate Affair event.
