In a dimly lit room, adorned with cobwebs and tombstones, and songs like “The Monster Mash” looming in the air, the once Moorpark College television studio was transformed into a full-blown Halloween Fundraiser Party on Oct. 25 for members of the Moorpark College Foundation.
Set only days before Halloween and preceding a showing of “Bat Boy: The Musical” the Moorpark College Foundation held a fundraiser night for members of the community, as well as for the Foundation. Moorpark College Foundation Chair, Dan Peate, has been a member of the Foundation for seven years, yet there is never a day when he doesn’t regret it. “Moorpark did so much for me,” said Peate.
After recalling his experiences as a student, Peate was Associated Student President at Moorpark and a member of the highly-acclaimed debate team. “And I want to give back.” The cocktail party commenced at 6 p.m., as around 60 guests filtered into the “Bat Cave” in the Communications Building and made themselves comfortable at their tables. Caterers served a array of appetizers, ranging from bruschetta to lobster.
There was also a full-service bar towards the back of the room that served a variety of wines and a table in the front filled with more appetizers. After the guests were treated to a showing of “Bat Boy” the guests went back into the television studio for coffee, dessert, and to celebrate the success of “Bat Boy” with some of the cast members.
Tickets for the events were priced at $150, with all of the proceeds going towards the Foundation. Founded in 1980, the Moorpark College Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that accepts donations from businesses, government, and non-profit agencies. The goal of the Foundation is to support the growth of the college and its students. All of the donations from the donors are tax-deductible, and benefit students directly in student scholarships given in the spring.
With the help of the Foundation, as well as other individual and corporate donors, more than $100,000 a year is given to students. Although the guests at the fundraiser came from different backgrounds and occupations, each of the donors shared the same passion of wanting to help students. Apart from the Foundation Board, among some of the guests were a few professors from the current Moorpark faculty, business owners, like Commonwealth Studios, as well as other important community members that were guests of the Foundation and the Moorpark College President.
One of the Foundation members, Sylvia Sullivan, who served as a part-time faculty at Moorpark for 17 years and taught courses in drafting and interior design, attributed all of her success to Moorpark College when she began as a student at 40 years old. “It not only helped me, it completely changed my life.” said Sullivan. “I’ve been reasonably successful in my career and I feel that giving back to the institution that is responsible for my success is important.” Janice Parvin, running as an unopposed candidate for mayor of Moorpark, and one of the guests at the event said that she is a big fan of community colleges after attending one herself, and feels that education is highly important.
“We need to ensure college is supported by the entire community.” said Parvin. “Education is the number one thing to our country’s survival.” For more information the Moorpark College Foundation, visit the website at www.moorparkcollege.edu/found.
