Community of Character Fundraiser makes $30,000 for Pleasanton Scholarships.

Thanks to ALL!

Community of Character Fundraiser makes $30,000 for Pleasanton Scholarships.
The recent BBQ/Auction by the Pleasanton Community of Character was a great success.

Scholarships were first awarded in 2012, established to honor the legacy of Juanita Haugen, long time school board member, who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2007. From then until 2023, one or two scholarships were awarded to seniors at each PUSD high school, honoring students who demonstrated exceptional character and service to their family, school and community. The goal is to encourage our citizens and community organizations to model the character traits of Responsibility, Compassion, Self-Discipline, Honest, Respect and Integrity. These traits have been demonstrated by our scholarship recipients through overcoming adversity and their tremendous contributions of service, many of them even starting their own organizations for the benefit of others.

A few years ago, a small backyard barbeque with a few auction items was held to augment the funding of scholarships. The past three years, the event has grown until this year’s event earned $30,442, an increase of 30% over last year, with nearly 120 attendees. Due to this success, the number of scholarships has also increased to as many as eleven.

Many thanks to the board of directors, who planned, obtained auction items, cooked and served the food. Because it is held in a backyard and board members donate all the food and other expenses for the dinner, nearly 100% of the proceeds go toward scholarships, this year’s only expense was $959 for credit card fees. Profits will be used to increase scholarships awarded as well as augment the scholarship and general fund. The board of directors all serve voluntarily and there is no paid staff.

Thanks also to all those who attended and for their generous donations, as well as community groups and companies who made donations of items and certificates for auction items. The local band, “Rusty Vinyl” donated their time by played at the event and the Pleasanton Weekly supported the event through advertising.

A “Thank You Video”: https://bit.ly/bbq-thankyou

Event Photos: https://bit.ly/bbq-photos

The Community of Character encourages the character traits in the schools and city and honors community members for character and community service at an annual luncheon and by awarding scholarships to PUSD senior students.

Support is also provided for other community events, such as the Make a Difference Volunteer Festival, the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Martin Luther Legacy Breakfast, Adopt a Senior at Christmas and other worthwhile events.

www.CommunityOfCharacter.org

The Community of Character Board