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Foundation’s Chef Auction Raises Over $50,000 For Scholarships

For the second year in a row, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation hosted a highly successful Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, raising over $50,000 to support local students pursuing higher education.

All proceeds will benefit both the Supporting Scholars Fund and future culinary arts scholarships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The Supporting Scholars Fund comprises three distinct scholarships awarded annually to multiple recipients: the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships.

Culinary students Allison Drass, Patrick Penrod, Zak Salem, and Alex Babal, as well as Chef and Culinary instructor John Dusack, prepared food for the opening reception. In addition, Supporting Scholars Adelyn Dull and Olivia Cavallo shared how the scholarship fund has significantly contributed to shaping their futures.

“Overall, the Chef Auction was a great success,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Attendees enjoyed delicious meals from area restaurants and met the students who benefit from their contributions. It was a memorable night, and I’m glad it could be part of the College’s overall 30th anniversary festivities.”

Eight restaurants participated in providing dinner for more than 200 attendees, with some also supplying packages for the live auction. Overall, more than $35,000 was raised, which was paired with a $15,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation to achieve the grand total.

The event consisted of 11 silent auction items and eight live auction packages to bid on. Nine baskets were given away in a raffle, five luxury vacations were awarded in a separate auction, and a 50/50 drawing was held.

The UPMC Altoona Foundation and Worklink Staffing served as Master Chef sponsors for the event, alongside 13 Executive Chef and 12 Sous Chef sponsors.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors, the participating restaurants, and the staff at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Center,” VanMeter stated. “I would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of all the event volunteers. Their contributions made the evening truly special. I am already looking forward to next year.”

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation actively pursues financial support for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its students. It achieves this by cultivating relationships, raising funds, and expertly managing resources.

Volunteers from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, including (from left) Dane Lamont, Morgan Dugan, Sonya Augustine, Olivia Cavallo (student), Adelyn Dull (student), Matthew Stumpf, Autumn Hogan, and Carole VanMeter, pose for a photo following the Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Center on October 9.