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The Davie Community Foundation has been highlighting in weekly articles the donors who are investing in local students through scholarships.

“The last group of donors I want to highlight is you, the community,” said Jane Simpson, president and CEO of the foundation.”

Since the Ignite Davie College Promise was launched in 2019, more than 1,000 individuals, businesses, organizations and government have contributed to create an endowment that would secure the promise for future generations.

Fundraising campaigns and events have given the community the opportunity to support Ignite Davie through donations, multiple year commitments, and payroll deductions made by Davie School staff and county employees.

When Peggy Wallace turned 90 in August, she asked that gifts be made to Ignite Davie in lieu of birthday presents.

“What a gift she gave to Davie County children,” Simpson said. “Thanks to the generosity of many, commitments now total more than $2 million.”

“Ignite Davie may prove to be the most impactful investment our community will make in itself. Educating our children by paying tuition and fees for students who live and attend school in Davie to attend either campus of Davidson-Davie Community College full-time, along with a stipend of up to $250 per semester for books is an amazing investment.”

Students are taking advantage of that investment. After two years in the program, 21 Ignite Davie students have graduated from Davidson-Davie Community College. They have secured a variety of degrees and certificates: 3, AS degrees; 11, AA degrees; 2, dental assisting; 2, welding; 1, automotive technology; 1, HVAC; 1, PNE.

This August, 159 students started classes at Davidson-Davie Community College as Ignite Davie students. They represented the Class of 2022 (78 students); Class of 2021 (56 students); and Class of 2020 (25 students).

“As more students reach graduation, more of Davie’s workforce will have the training and education necessary for the jobs available in our county,” Simpson said. “As graduates choose to live and work in Davie County, the educational attainment of the county will improve, giving Davie the competitive advantage we are looking for.”

The average cost per year, per graduating class, is $40,000. During the 2022-2023 year, Ignite Davie expenses for three classes could reach $120,000.

Visit IGNITEDAVIE.com to make a donation or mail a check payable to Davie Community Foundation with Ignite Davie noted in the memo to Davie Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028.

“Future generations will benefit from the investment YOU make today. What a wonderful legacy of generosity we can leave together,” she said.