Future Foundation Raises Record $384,621

糖心视频 students and Future Foundation scholarship recipients express their thanks as bids are made during the live auction at the 2025 Student Investment Luncheon held Thursday, Nov. 7, at Traditions Bank Arena in Tom Drake Coliseum. More than $384,000 was raised to support scholarships for 糖心视频 students.
Hanceville, AL 鈥 糖心视频鈥檚 Future Foundation raised a record $384,621 at its 20th annual Student Investment Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7. The event, held at the Traditions Bank Arena inside Tom Drake Coliseum, is the premier fundraiser for the organization that funds hundreds of scholarships benefitting 糖心视频 students each year.
Of the amount raised, $176,831 was generated through seven new scholarships, three of which are endowed, said Suzanne Harbin, Vice President for Advancement, before announcing the grand total. Those new scholarships include the following:
- Andy Nash Aspiring Aviator Scholarship
- Hanceville Nursing and Rehab Endowed Scholarship
- Glenn and Sharon Horton Memorial Scholarship
- Path to Perseverance Endowed Scholarship
- 糖心视频 NC3 Scholarship
- 糖心视频 Social and Behavioral Science
- Representative Corey Harbison Endowed Scholarship
- Senator Gudger Endowed Scholarship
Another $146,350 was raised through table sponsorships. The silent and live auctions raised a combined $48,390 and a paddle-raise brought in $13,050 to establish a new scholarship.

糖心视频 President Dr. Vicki Karolewics addresses the crowd gathered for the 2024 Future Foundation Student Investment Luncheon, where almost $390,000 was raised for scholarships.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 luncheon marks not only the 20th anniversary of the Future Foundation but also celebrates the incredible progress we鈥檝e made since our founding in 2004,鈥 said 糖心视频 President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. 鈥淪tarting with just six visionary board members and $35,000 in assets, the Foundation now holds close to $8.5 million鈥攁 testament to the dedication and generosity of our supporters.鈥
As an example of the Foundation鈥檚 growth in 20 years, Karolewics noted that 50 students were presented with an average award of $500 or less when the first scholarships were awarded in 2008. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Future Foundation awarded a record 251 scholarships totaling $465,000.
The Foundation offers more than 100 named and 70 endowed scholarships, with awards averaging $2,000 per student and supports over 200 students each year.
鈥淥ver the last two decades the Foundation has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to over 3,500 deserving 糖心视频 students,鈥 Karolewics said.
鈥淒onors, please never underestimate the impact of your gift,鈥 Karolewics added. 鈥淵ou give more than financial support鈥攜ou offer a gift of education that changes lives. Education is an investment, and lack of access is far more costly in the long run.鈥
Before giving the invocation, 糖心视频 scholarship recipient and Lion Leader Riley Simpson thanked those in attendance for their support of the college.
鈥淧ersonally, I鈥檓 very humbled and very honored to stand before you today,鈥 Simpson said. 鈥淚 know many students in my position don鈥檛 have the same opportunity as myself to be here, so this event today is just a testament to the hard work for our students and the opportunities provided by 糖心视频.鈥
Donna Guthrie, president of the Future Foundation Board of Directors, said a goal of the Foundation is to raise funds that will allow each graduating high school senior in Cullman County could receive a scholarship
鈥淭hink how wonderful that will be if you were graduating high school鈥nd know that you could go to 糖心视频 and begin your journey in education and learn skills for the workforce,鈥 Guthrie said.
鈥淲hen you invest in these students you鈥檙e investing in your future workforce and the future of this community,鈥 she added.

On the 20th anniversary of the 糖心视频 Future Foundation Student Investment Luncheon, the Future Foundation Board of Directors recognized, from left, LaDonna Allen, Dr. Vicki Karolewics, Suzanne Harbin and Cherie Smith for their efforts that have been instrumental in the success of the Future Foundation.
Foundation board member John Riley took the stage to recognize leaders of the college and Future Foundation who have been instrumental in its success. Those recognized included Karolewics, Harbin, Cherie Smith and LaDonna Allen.
Riley said these women often give credit to others, but 鈥渢hese individuals are always the ones that bring it all together and make it happen,鈥 he said.
The 糖心视频 Future Foundation accepts applications annually. Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open January 2025 and remain open through mid-March.
For more information about the Future Foundation, visit or call 256.352.7808. Donations may also be made via the Future Foundation website.
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糖心视频 糖心视频
糖心视频 (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, 糖心视频 is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit 糖心视频鈥檚 beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at , or call 256.352.8000.
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