Dollars for Scholars dinner returns April 11 to support student scholarships

Fundraiser features pasta dinner, live music from Kris Karr and student performers

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A night of food, music and community support is on the menu as Charles City Area Dollars for Scholars holds its annual dinner fundraiser on Thursday, April 11, at the Elks Lodge.

The evening includes a gourmet pasta meal by Ginger’s Top Shelf, dessert and live entertainment from Kris Karr Music and Rhymes with Orange, the Charles City High School vocal group.

Kathy Herrick, president of the Dollars for Scholars board, said proceeds from the event help fund scholarships for graduating seniors in the Charles City area.

“Since our inception in 1996 we have distributed approximately $785,050 to 1,384 students. In the past five years alone we have given $230,075 to 259 graduating seniors,” Herrick said.

“The board works hard every year to raise these funds and we cannot operate our scholarship program without our generous community support,” she said.

This year’s fundraiser saw a last-minute entertainment change after Endless Summer Revisited had to cancel. But Herrick said the board is excited about the replacement act – Kris Karr, a 2022 inductee into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.

“Kris is an engaging entertainer who primarily plays songs from the ’70s and encourages audience participation,” Herrick said, adding that having both Karr and Rhymes With Orange “promises to give us a fun night of music.”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar, with the event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

The annual fine dining event has become an important part of the organization’s fundraising efforts, supplementing its annual mail-a-thon and helping increase the size and number of scholarships awarded.

Tickets to the Dollars for Scholar night of “Great Music, Great Food and Bright Futures” are $40 and are available from Dollars for Scholars board members or by calling 641-330-8207.

Current board members are Kathy Herrick, Melanie Johanningmeier, Rachel Page, Charlie Newman, Andy Hintgen, Kim Wendel, Julie DeBower, Ammie Joslin, Eric Mayhew, Kim Wilson, Julie Flood and Christian Kreger.

In addition to taking part in the meal, persons can make donations to support scholarships by sending them to Charles City Area Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 684, Charles City, IA 50616, or by going to the website, charlescity.dollarsforscholars.org, and clicking on the “Donate Now” tab.

Graduates from Charles City High School, the Carrie Lane Alternative High School, Gospel Lighthouse Academy in Floyd and home schooled students are eligible to apply for scholarships. The application process for this year’s awards ended Feb. 28.