Fund-raiser aids Cape Mayor’s Scholarship Fund
The Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund offered dinner and a show for patrons Thursday evening, the second of two major fund-raisers throughout the year.
After an hourlong repast, guests were treated to a performance of the Neil Simon play “The Sunshine Boys” at Cultural Park Theater.
While the 110 tickets sold at $25 each equaled the amount sold in previous years, organizers said overall donations are down because of the downturn in the economy, likely causing fewer scholarships to be given out this year.
“We usually give away between 20 and 30, our goal this year is 15 (scholarships),” said Karen Baker, a Mayor’s Scholarship Fund board member.
Each year the organization, which was founded in 1983, hands out $1,500 to high school seniors in the Cape chosen by a five-member board. Last year there were 89 applicants and a total of 20 scholarships awarded.
“I think the need is greater this year,” board member William Zivkovich said.
Students are judged on a variety of criteria, including grades and community involvement.
Zivkovich, a member of the panel that will review the applications and select the scholarship winners, said his job will be harder this year because fewer scholarships will be awarded.
“I think it’s going to be a little more difficult this year. The bar is raised,” he said.
Despite the harsh economic times, the fund-raiser drew its regular crowd.
“It’s a tradition. This has been a part of the whole culture around the scholarship fund,” Zivkovich said.
The window to submit applications for this year’s scholarships closed Friday, but the organization is still accepting donations. For more information, visit the Web site at: www.capecoralmayorscholarship.com.
Scholarship award winners will be announced at the organization’s awards banquet April 29 at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.