UNCF Hosts 2016 Columbus Walk for Education
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) September 21, 2016 -- The Columbus area office of UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, will host the 33rd annual UNCF Walk for Education on Saturday, Sept 24 at Wolfe Park. Members of the community and friends of UNCF are invited to register as an individual or form/join a team to help deserving students pursue a higher education.
“We invite all members of the Columbus community to join us as we raise money to send deserving young people to college,” said Natalie R. Coles, UNCF area development director. “Everyone who believes that ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste’® should attend as we inspire and empower our young people to secure passports to opportunity by way of their college degree.”
For more than 70 years, UNCF has provided financial assistance to students and its 37 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Without UNCF’s support, many of the students attending these colleges would not have access to higher education or the benefits they provide. UNCF’s Walk for Education supports more than 60,000 students a year at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across America. Sixty percent of UNCF scholars are the first in their families to attend college while 60 percent come from households with an annual income under $25,000.
UNCF invests nearly $2 million in scholarships for Ohio students each year. Last year, more than 1,000 supporters participated in Columbus’s Walk for Education, raising over $125,000 for local area students. Sponsors for this year’s walk include The American Electric Power Foundation, 10tv, The Kroger Company, UPS, Huntington National Bank, Columbia Gas and First Church of God. The walk is chaired by Daryle Cobb of Franklin County Children’s Services and Michael Ward of American Electric Power.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., and the timed 5k walk/run begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $25. For more information on the Columbus UNCF Walk for Education, including sponsorship packages and registration, please contact Natalie Coles at 614.221.5309, natalie(dot)coles(at)uncf(dot)org or visit UNCF.org/ColumbusWalk.
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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF
Cynetra Mcmillian, UNCF, http://www.uncf.org, +1 (202) 854.0007, [email protected]
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