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Do you know what Robby Bostic, David Benfield, Max Martinez, Emma James, Madison Fendley, Hannah Morgan, Antonia Montana, and Ashley Lipscomb have in common?

They are all Ignite Davie College Promise graduates working in Davie County.

The Davie Community Foundation kicked off the community campaign to raise the final $500,000 for the Ignite Davie Endowment ($3 million goal) at the convocation for Davie County Schools. Staff heard highlights of graduates working in the community along with the totals of students impacted by the promise.

Since the Ignite Davie College Promise began in Fall 2020, 325 students have participated, supported by an Ignite Davie investment of $254,353 through Spring 2023.

The fall semester got under way on Aug. 21 with 142 Ignite Davie students enrolled.

Ignite Davie students have earned 83 certificates, degrees, and diplomas. In addition to working locally, graduates have transferred to 4-year schools. They had the benefit of two years of tuition and fees paid by Ignite Davie.

Since the Davie County Schools were kicking off the community campaign, “IGNITE the Future – Invest in our Kids!” Jane Simpson, foundation CEO, challenged 200 school staff to participate in the fundraising to raise $25,000. To get the staff “fired up,” a friendly competition was announced. The school with the highest percentage of participation will be treated to a “Day of Thanks” with coffee from the Maddie Cakes Cream Puff Truck and lunch delivered from Chick-fil-A.

“We want to get the 800 people involved in Davie County Schools excited about finishing the $3 million endowment goal,” said Simpson. “Once the goal is reached, Ignite Davie College Promise will be sustainable for future generations. It will be available when today’s kindergarten children are high school seniors. I believe we can reach the goal by the end of 2023 if the community gets involved.”

The foundation is spearheading opportunities for fundraising. Local businesses are embracing the Ignite Davie Employer of Choice Program.

Touchdowns for Education on Sept. 1 will benefit Ignite Davie with 31 team members.

IGNITE Your Appetites will begin on Sept. 26 at Restaurant 101 in Mocksville, a percentage of lunch and dinner sales from that day to Ignite Davie.

“We are so thankful for the generosity we have received in raising $2.5 million,” said Simpson. “We are now so close to the goal. Let’s get this finished.”

Davie County was named an All-America County at the competition in Denver, Colo. in June.

“Igniting the youth in Davie County was at the forefront of the win,” she said. “We already know that Davie County is an amazingly generous community that strives for the best for its youth and all citizens. Ignite Davie College Promise is one more benefit to draw young families to our County.”

Checks can be made payable to Davie Community Foundation at PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028. Please note “Ignite Davie” on the memo line. Gift online can be made at www.daviefoundation.org. Click on the Donate button and choose Ignite Davie Endowment from the drop-down menu.

“Every gift is important,” Simpson said. “Thank you for joining together to make a difference for Davie County children.”