The Antelope Valley College Foundation received a $27,000 donation Friday aimed at scholarships for students pursuing careers that aid children.

Businessman and philanthropist Ron Emard presented a check for $7,000 to the foundation and pledged to provide an additional $20,000 over the next two years. The donation will fund the Emard Cherish the Child Scholarship.

“Ron Emard has a big heart for children,” said AVC President Jackie Fisher. “One of his goals has been to protect the children of the Antelope Valley against child abuse and neglect. His gift today will help prepare a new generation of people to aid in this effort to provide a better life for children.”

The scholarships will be for students pursuing a degree in child psychology, sociology, social work, teaching or a related field working with children.

The first $7,000 will fund three $1,000 awards for students transferring to universities from AVC; four $500 awards for high school seniors planning to attend AVC; and four $500 awards for continuing AVC students.

“It’s our responsibility to help these children - these students and young adults,” said Emard, who is general managing partner of the Robertson’s Palmdale Honda store and principal owner and partner of the Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson dealership. “This is a jump-start for these kids going to school.”

The foundation handed out nearly $70,000 in scholarships last year, said foundation President Helen Acosta.

“We’re hoping to top that. This will really help,” Acosta said.

Emard is active in a number of civic and charitable efforts, and for 11 years has organized the Thunder on the Lot car and motorcycle show that benefits a number of local charities that aid children.

He is also president of the Palmdale Sheriff Boosters, board member of the Children’s Center of Antelope Valley, director of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade, and a past chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

The announcement of the donation was made with the college’s third annual Cash for College event as the backdrop. Some 1,500 people were expected to visit the campus Friday to learn about financial aid programs and scholarships.

Source: dailynews.com

This entry was posted by Taman Siswa on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 10:18 pm and is filed under Scholarship. Tags: American Cancer Society, Antelope Valley, Antelope Valley Board of Trade, Antelope Valley College Foundation, Children's Center of Antelope Valley, College, Financial Aid, Helen Acosta, Jackie Fisher, Palmdale Honda store, Robertson, Ron Emard, Scholarship, Student, . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.