LONDONDERRY — Dollars for Scholars is looking for some new blood to take over from the core group of volunteers who have kept the program going long after their own children went off to college.
"About five years ago, volunteer participation started dropping," said Anne Collacchi, president of the program that has raised scholarship monies for each graduating class of Londonderry High School for over 25 years.
"Over the years Dollars for Scholars has been well-known for its auctions, golf tournament and phone-a-thon to raise money," Collacchi said.
A Cents Makes Sense program, where younger students brought in pennies, also got elementary grades started in raising money for their future graduating class.
With limited manpower, the program is on its last legs this year. The annual golf tournament, scheduled for June 25, is the only fundraising activity that the group could put on this school year.
"We've worked so hard to just let something like this go," said Laura Sciarrio, vice president of the program.
"We've given out over $250,000 in scholarships since Dollars for Scholars began in Londonderry," Sciarrio said.
The amount given out to each graduating class depends on the money raised each year.
For the first 15 to 20 years of the program, scholarships were given in the amounts of $250 to $1,500. Students applied for the scholarships as part of their scholarship packets through the high school's guidance office. The Dollars for Scholars officers never know the names of the students who are assigned a number when applying for the various scholarships available.
"The scholarships are given based on academic merit, community service and school activities," Sciarrio said. "Financial need is also evaluated."
In the past few years, the scholarships have been awarded to fewer students but in higher amounts. Last year's highest amount was $2,000.
There are also two scholarships awarded to students going on to technical colleges. Students applying for these are required to write an essay based on personal and professional goals.
"This is a nonprofit program," Collacchi said. "It is not connected to the schools, but the district has been very supportive. We've always had teacher liaisons from the high school."
The program has built up a substantial amount that has been placed into an endowment. This year, $37,000 will be given out in scholarship money. There will still be close to $150,000 left, so a new board will not be starting out with little left in the bank.
"We are really looking for some new members to take over," Collacchi said. "The present board will mentor the new members for the first year."
There will be a public meeting of Dollars for Scholars on June 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Londonderry High School, and those interested in volunteering are welcome. For more information, e-mail board secretary, Betsy Domitrz at bdomitrz@londonderry.org.
