Now in its 17th year, the Minneota Dollars for Scholars continues to raise money to present scholarships to seniors that are planning to attend a post-secondary institution.

‘Dollars for Scholars’ reaches out for new contributors

Now in its 17th year, the Minneota Dollars for Scholars continues to raise money to present scholarships to seniors that are planning to attend a post-secondary institution. The program has sponsored several different types of fundraisers for scholarships.

This year, the program is attempting to raise additional money through mailings. “This year is our first attempt to raise money through reaching people through a mailing,” explained Ruth Bot, a Minneota Dollars for Scholars board member.

“We put together a one-page newsletter explaining what we are doing and mailed it out to all Mascot subscribers, as well as those in the Ivanhoe area since they have been a part of our school system for three years. At this point, it has been a profitable method of raising money.”

Dollars for Scholars is a national network of community-based and volunteer-operated scholarship foundations throughout the United States as part of Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based chapters.

The Minneota Chapter was formed in 2001 and since that time has raised and awarded Minneota High School graduates with more than $170,000 to help support their continuing education goals. Last year, Dollars for Scholars gave out $25,000 to Minneota seniors.

That amount also includes “named” scholarships which are funneled through the Dollars for Scholars program. Named scholarships include donations from individuals, businesses or organizations that may target specific criteria.

To receive a scholarship, a student must be graduating from Minneota High School and planning to attend a post-secondary institution. Prior to Minneota Dollars for Scholars, students were asked to apply for each scholarship individually. Now they can apply for numerous scholarships by filling out just one form.

Additionally, in past years students often would have financial aid reduced if granted a scholarship. But with Dollars for Scholars scholarships, not only do post-secondary institutions no longer reduce financial assistance, but they often match any Dollars for Scholars scholarships.

The Minneota Dollars for Scholars scholarships awarded come from donations from area businesses and individuals, endowments, memorials and fundraisers.

The Minneota Dollars for Scholars board works with these groups to set up criteria for their scholarship such as a specific field of study. Scholarships are not awarded only to outstanding student or athletes. The student’s entire school resume is taken into consideration.

The Dollars for Scholars local program tries to raise at least $5,000 each year for scholarships through various fundraising efforts, said Bot.

The first scholarships were given to the Minneota graduating class of 2002. Steve Rassier, who was superintendent at that time, was instrumental in getting the program started locally. Schwan’s Corp. of Marshall also assisted area school districts with seed money to get the program started. One of the current Minneota Dollars for Scholars fundraisers involves free-throw shooting at halftime of basketball games. “This is good because the kids are able to participate,” Bot said.

“We have been fortunate to have several people able to donate dollars to help provide the pop that kids can win if they make a free throw.”

“We also have been very successful with our 50/50 program. This is usually done for fall games — football and volleyball. You pay one dollar per ticket and at halftime of the varsity game, a number is selected and that person wins half the money that was donated that night.”

The Minneota Dollars for Scholars chapter has also raised money by sponsoring variety shows, raffles, golf tournaments, bean bag tournaments and other activities at various community events throughout the year. The local program is run by a seven-member board of directors, with the help of many volunteers.

Those board members include: Sue Buysse, president; Jeri Whortenbury, vice president; Janet Van Keulen, treasurer; Kimberly Abraham, secretary; as well as Bot, Kim Gades and Stephanie Vlaminck.

“We always welcome volunteers to help in any way they would like,” said Bot. Keep watching the Mascot for any additional fundraisers sponsored by the Minneota Dollars for Scholars.

If anyone is interested in donating to the program or has any questions, contact Sue Buysse at 872-6175 or sue.buysse@minneotaschools.org, or Janet Van Keulen at 872-6458 or janet.vankeulen@schwans.com.

“We strongly believe that with the cost of education today, every student who leaves Minneota deserves a helping hand, even if it’s only to buy a book or two,” said Bot.

“Our community survives because people live here and want to raise their families here. This is one of the reasons why Minneota cares about its residents. That is why we like to give this support to our graduates.”

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492