Davie County recently issued the following announcement.
The signs tell the story. Gildan is hiring, Comfort Built is hiring, Ashley Furniture is hiring… and the list goes on.
Over the past several years, business and industry have struggled to find a skilled workforce to meet their needs. The 2020 pandemic only worsened the challenges, and the lack of skilled workers to fill open positions is even greater today.
Estimates for residents 25-years-old and older in 2019 showed that 42.2% have a high school diploma or less and 21.3% have some college but no degree. In total, 63.5% do not have an Associate or higher degree. We can reasonably extend that to say that potentially 63.5% of Davie’s workforce does not have the training and education necessary for the jobs available.
Just as companies invest in high-quality tools and equipment for their business, we need to invest in Davie’s workforce. Education and training beyond high school impact the individual and the community!
IGNITE DAVIE College Promise has the potential to impact our current reality and improve the educational attainment of our county, but we must ensure the Promise will be sustainable for current and future generations!
What is IGNITE DAVIE College Promise?
Cassidy Webb, 2013 Davie High graduate and now an attorney in Washington, D.C., is one of the youngest contributors to IGNITE DAVIE.
IGNITE DAVIE is a College Promise Program that invests in the students of Davie County! IGNITE DAVIE is a place-based last-dollar scholarship, which means students must live in and attend school in Davie County. Beginning with the Class of 2020, IGNITE DAVIE pays tuition and fees for students to attend either campus of Davidson-Davie Community College full-time. A stipend of up to $250 per semester is also included for books. Students may pursue a Certificate, Diploma, or Associate/Transfer Program.
IGNITE DAVIE is a place-based last-dollar scholarship. It is applied after all other funding sources. It is NOT based on academic merit or financial need. It is for all residents.
How will we pay for the IGNITE DAVIE College Promise?
Early estimates projected that a $3 Million endowment would successfully pay the last dollar scholarships and fund the program into the future. In fall 2021, IGNITE DAVIE has commitments of $2 Million of the $3 Million goal! The Inve$t in our Kids Capital Campaign is designed to raise the remaining $1 Million needed to reach the goal and secure the Promise!
Once the fundraising goal is reached, IGNITE DAVIE College Promise will truly be a promise to all Davie students who choose to pursue additional education after high school at Davidson-Davie Community College!
“One of the many things I am proud to participate in through the Davie Community Foundation is helping with IGNITE DAVIE so that all future Davie graduates can have the opportunity to attend community college for free,” said Davin Brown, foundation board member.
Who is Investing in IGNITE DAVIE?
In 2019, community partners collaborated to make the initial $925,000 investment in IGNITE DAVIE. These partners made five-year commitments toward the $3 million goal: County of Davie, Davidson County Community College Foundation, Davie Community Foundation, Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Davie County Economic Development Commission, Phillip and Darlene Fuller, United Way of Davie County, and Zachary Wright.
In addition to the partners, Davie County is full of generous people who seem to rise to the occasion when there is a need or a program that is important for children or the community! More than three hundred generous donors have contributed amounts ranging from $20 to $125,000!
“While serving on the Davie Community Foundation Board I have become keenly aware of the generosity of our community,” said Candy Poplin. “Participating in the kickoff for IGNITE DAVIE has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my tenure with the board.”
Peggy Wallace, pictured with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, has supported IGNITE DAVIE from the beginning and is including the program as a beneficiary in her will.
Peggy Wallace of Mocksville is one of the early contributors to the program. Peggy has eighteen great-grandchildren, thirteen of which live in Davie County right now and could benefit from IGNITE DAVIE!
“I think this is the best thing Davie County has done for Education EVER!” said Peggy. “I just think it’s a wonderful program. A lot of kids wouldn’t be able to go to college without it because they just don’t have the ability to pay. I am so happy the fundraising has gone as well as it has. Our kids deserve the chance to better themselves.”
Peggy has already given generously to IGNITE DAVIE and she has instructed her family to add to IGNITE DAVIE from her estate when she dies. She is truly committed to educating Davie’s children!
Original source can be found here.
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