Heather Bell
RADFORD – Community members have come together to try to raise money for the City of Radford’s Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program with local city funding at risk due to the city’s financial situation.
A “Win-Win” Raffle is planned to raise money for ACCE. The ACCE program “is an economic development public/private partnership that makes college available debt-free to high school and home-schooled graduates by funding NRCC tuition for two years,” according to New River Community College.
The purpose of ACCE is to “support the youth of participating counties by making college within reach. With the support of ACCE, students will graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university without college debt. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program.”
“When I learned that Radford City was facing financial challenges and would no longer be able to fund the ACCE program, I grew concerned that RHS graduates might lose access to this wonderful opportunity through NRCC,” said parent Amanda Winter via email. “Wanting to keep the program alive, several community members – including Jamie Little, Margaret Spoule, and Dee Dee Kennedy (NRCC ACCE) – and I put our heads together to find a solution.”
“Together, we created the idea of the “Win-Win” Raffle, with the goal of raising enough funds each year to sustain the program long-term.”
Details of the Win-Win raffle include:
Tickets are $10 each, to keep participation affordable.
The raffle winner receives 10 percent of the total proceeds.
Participants must be 18 years or older.
The fundraising goal is $40,000 for the ACCE program.
The winner will be announced at the last home football game.
“Alongside ticket sales, we’re also offering sponsorship opportunities for local businesses to support the effort and give back to the community,” said Winter. “We will be reaching out to local businesses within the coming weeks. The Radford City Schools Partners for Education Foundation is partnering with us and will handle all financial aspects of the fundraiser.”
For more information, please contact Amanda Winter at radfordacce@gmail.com.
