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The 3rd Annual Hauser Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, February 9 at WILLow LeaVes of Hope, located at 326 Jackson St. in downtown Hope.

Dollars for Scholars, which is an affiliate chapter of Scholarship America, was established in 1988 by local educators, community members and Hope Clifford and Hauser alumni, says Dollars for Scholars President Angie Chambers, who wanted a way to award Hauser students with a community scholarship.

Chambers, a Hauser graduate and 1992 Dollars for Scholars scholarship recipient, understands firsthand the benefits of this program – especially for she and her two children who also benefited.

Though taking on leadership roles, such as the one she holds now as president, is admittedly not her forte, Chambers says the future of Dollars for Scholars was at one point uncertain. She and her fellow board members had to take action, she says.

During the pandemic, fundraising was curtailed, which proved consequential, Chambers says.

“That was really hard,” Chambers says. “The only thing that helped us that year is that someone left us some money in their estate, so we were able to offer some scholarships that year.”

Since that time, Dollars for Scholars has been slowly rebuilding their fundraising efforts to pre-pandemic levels and reestablishing awareness of the program and its benefits to juniors and seniors planning their post-secondary education.

The annual window for applications runs from February 15 to March 31, Chambers says. The number of awards and their amounts are wholly dependent on the funds available.

“Awards are given out according to the scores the students get on the questionnaire when applying,” Chambers says. “There is a point system that goes toward those answers and that is why some applicants may get more or less.”

Applicants who participate in a Dollars for Scholars event during the year are given extra points, she adds.

“The money is given out at the annual end of the year award ceremony in May,” Chamber says. “They are given an envelope telling them what they’re awarded and then it is up to them to go onto the web site and accept the scholarship by June 15.”

Monies awarded are paid directly to the schools by Dollars for Scholars, Chambers adds, and can go towards books, tuition, equipment or whatever the student feels they want to apply it to.

And, though it is stressed on the paperwork that students must complete all the steps to secure their award, there are many who have been awarded money but failed to accept it and lost out, Chambers says.

Unbeknownst to some, the program doesn’t just benefit current high school juniors and seniors.

“We also give out post-high school scholarships,” Chambers says. “If you got a scholarship your senior year of high school, you can reapply each year for the next four years.”

Sunday’s fundraising event will feature a potato and chili or cheddar broccoli soup dinner, entertainment, and silent auction.

“We know it is Super Bowl Sunday and we should be done by 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. at the latest," Chambers adds.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person.

For tickets or further information, contact [email protected] or call 812-371-9598.

** Those who are unable to attend the fundraiser and would like to make a monetary donation can mail their donations to Hauser Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 233, Hope, Ind. 47246 **