A call goes out to help 2021 VVHS grads

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Mesquite Community Education Foundation (MCEF) started a last fund drive last week that aims to raise enough money to fund scholarships for 2021 graduates bound for college or trade schools.

Since its founding in 2017, the MCEF has provided more than $50,000 in scholarships to local graduates. Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are awarded each year to kids who want to continue their schooling.

“Our target is not on the top people in the class,” said MCEF board member and founder Darlene Nelson. “Those kids tend to get other scholarships to help them. For our program, kids have to make a 2.5 grade point average and have plans to go to college or technical school. We try to help as many as we can.”

But this year has been different than any before it for the MCEF. Usually the foundation has been seeing 40-50 applicants for the scholarships. This year, they have only received 16.

“It has been a hard year for the students this year,” Nelson said. “Kids are discouraged and their confidence in the future is low. So we want to help all that have been brave enough to apply.”
As a locally-administered non-profit organization, the MCEF is laser-focused on helping the kids and nothing else.

“Every penny of the money that is raised by the foundation goes into scholarships for kids,” she said. “There is no administrative expenses or anything else. We are just wanting to help those students.”

But the COVID year has posed challenges for fundraising as well. Usually by now, the foundation has already held a number of fundraisers showcasing student talents and abilities. For example, in February of 2019, the MCEF held a Mardis Gras-themed fundraiser that was completely sold out. More than $13,000 was raised in that one event, Nelson said.

This year, though, no such major event has been possible. “It has been a real challenge,” Nelson admitted. “In February, when we usually hold these events, COVID had shut everything down. So now the only way we can accomplish our mission is by appealing to the generosity of this wonderful community.”

The foundation is asking the entire community to get involved to raise funds for the kids.

To promote the requisite social distancing, the MCEF is holding a mega-raffle event this year. Raffle prizes have been donated by numerous local businesses and individuals in the community. Prizes include a whole hog, butchered and wrapped for the freezer; a round of world-class golf with lunch; a dinner at Katherine’s; a spa day experience; gift cards at Walmart, Smiths and much more.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase from now to the end of May. For every $100 donated, the donor receives one raffle ticket for a chance to win.

This week, Nelson and her group placed three fundraising thermometers out on display in the community. These are meant to keep the public updated on how much has been raised and to remind folks to donate to the MCEF cause.

These three large wooden display boards were fashioned under the direction of Virgin Valley High School wood shop teacher John Felix. And the colorful dog bone thermometer graphic on each one was created by VVHS art teacher Tyler Roylance.

Watch for a thermometer located at the VVHS campus. Another is at the Mesquite Rec Center. And a third is placed at The Splash Pad on Mesquite Blvd.

“We are hoping to have enough raised to help all 16 applications that we have received this year,” said Nelson. “This is such a generous community and it always comes through for our kids. So we are confident we can reach that goal.”

Contributions can be made to MCEF, PO BOX 2784, Mesquite NV 89024.

They can also be dropped off in person at the Bank of Nevada branch at 11 Pioneer Blvd, the Mesquite Rec Center at 100 W. Old Mill Road, or to Tina Jensen at Virgin Valley High School.
Finally donations can be made electronically via VENMO to darlenenelsonMCEF@MCEF-Scholarships-Mesquite-NV.

Those who wish to donate raffle prizes to the efforts may contact Nelson at 406-431-1181.