PBA Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Set For March 10

By Hayley Gable Bowerman

Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while also giving back to the local community? Search no further. The Pasadena Business Association will again host an affair at Kurtz’s Beach from which ticket proceeds will go toward scholarships for local high school seniors. Instead of hosting the event during the afternoon again, this year the event will be held in the evening from 7:00-11:00pm.

As one of the Pasadena Business Association’s annual signature events, the St. Patrick’s Day Scholarship Fundraiser regularly brings out a crowd of local residents, students, politicians and business leaders all wanting to support the cause.

The St. Patrick’s-themed event will feature a silent auction, prize wheel, a raffle of several gifts donated by local vendors, and an array of Irish food and desserts, including oyster stew, corned beef/ham, cabbage, shepherd's pie fixings, fried chicken, baked pasta, mashed potatoes, country beans, hot dogs, sausage with peppers and onions, vegetables with dip, rolls and bread, and a sheet cake.

All the proceeds raised through ticket sales, raffles and games will be set aside exclusively for 2012 student scholarships. The fundraiser also attracts many local vendors, who donate their products, crafts and services as auction and raffle items.

Also at this year’s party will be the live band, 3rd Shift.

For the past 22 years, The Pasadena Business Association has provided college scholarships to select high school seniors who reside in Pasadena. Over the course of that time, the organization has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarship money to deserving students.

“We have a panel of board members from the Association who individually go through and review the applications and select which students they see as the best candidates for the scholarship,” explained Sandi Parrish, executive director of the Pasadena Business Association.

Winning applicants are selected based on the students’ academic accomplishments, need for financial aid, community involvement, club/organization participation, and overall collegiate goals.

Three years ago, the PBA expanded their scholarship offerings by awarding $100 savings bond scholarships to fifth and eighth-graders as well.

To purchase tickets for the scholarship fundraiser, contact Mike Jacobs, chairman of the event, at 410-491-6670. Tickets are $35 per adult if purchased by March 2. After March 2, they are $45 per adult.

The deadline for students to submit scholarship applications is March 29. Scholarships will again be offered to selected fifth and eighth-graders who attend a school in the Northeast or Chesapeake feeder systems or attend St. Jane Frances or Eagle Cove schools in Pasadena. Scholarship winners will be honored and awarded on June 6 during the Pasadena Business Association general membership luncheon.

For more information on the scholarship, or to retrieve an application, visit www.pasadenabusinessassociation.com.