cchumanrightscouncil
Dec 5, 20102 min
The year 2010 was transformative for The Abby Fund. After
receiving the New York University grant in 2008 to establish a scholarship
in honor of outstanding METCO student Abdirauf Abdullahi
(1988-2006), and then producing the first cross-cultural benefit performance
in 2009, the Fund’s board members viewed this year as a
chance to build relationships, launch our website, and approach the
endowment goal half-way mark of $10,000.
Ever closer to our goal, a result of generous donations, The Abby
Fund is even more excited by the community anticipation witnessed
while preparing for the second benefit performance in March 2010!
With over one hundred volunteers & performers catering to a crowd of
well-over 200 attendees, the event was truly a celebration of diversity,
music, education, and family. The Abby Fund was able to host performers
graciously with the support of local businesses such as:
AlphaGraphics, Concord Toy Shop, Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Farfalle,
Nourish (Lexington), and Provisions.
The success of 2010 informed The Abby Fund of the need to
change our performance schedule. Due to the enthusiasm of elementary
school families, and in response to those disappointed by the
inconvenience of spring event-hopping, The Abby Fund has opted to
move the beloved spring benefit to the fall – thus, we will not celebrate
together during this school year, but instead in fall 2011!
Finally, Sam Presti’s donation to the CC Scholarship Fund in May
was an encouraging testament to the growing support for the CC
METCO program. The Anthony Halls-Keenan Smith Scholarship Fund
has been permanently endowed by Concord-Carlisle High School alumnus
Sam Presti (Prestigiacomo), the current General Manager of the
Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team. Presti funded this scholarship
to honor his close high school friends, Anthony Halls and
Keenan Smith, who were participants in the METCO program at CCHS
and who had a tremendous influence on his life. In particular, Hall’s
and Smith’s work ethic, both athletic and academic, inspired Presti.
The Halls-Smith Scholarship will recognize CCHS METCO graduating
seniors who: (1) possess good academic and attendance records;
and (2) have demonstrated a strong athletic performance.
The Abby Fund once again thanks the CC Human Rights Council for
being an outstanding example of community service, and looks forward
to further collaboration with the CCHS METCO program as well as
the METCO Parent Council.
• Visit us at: http://www.theabbyfund.org
• Shop at Debra’s Natural Gourmet on Abby Fund 5% Days
(Fall ‘10 & Spring ‘11, see
website above for more
details.)
• Benefit Performance
Outreach: We’ll need volunteers, performers, & attendees once we set the date!