We’re late! We’re late for a very important date!

May 2 would have been the LLCC Foundation’s 14th annual Gala — A Mad Hatter’s Gala. The Gala is the Foundation’s annual event featuring a gourmet meal prepared and served by our culinary students and instructors. It is the college’s signature fundraising event, raising funds for the benefit of our students.

Like Alice in Wonderland, we have been “Curious and Curiouser,” about all the different ways to safely celebrate and continue to provide support to LLCC students. With the shelter in place order, holding the Gala which regularly hosts 250 plus guests on campus was not an option. And so, the “Late for a Date” non-event was conceived. Businesses and individuals who had already committed to the Gala are being asked to transfer their Gala sponsorships to the new non-event. Invitations to the “Late for a Date” will be mailed asking people to not attend an event but to continue to help support students during this critical time.

The support is for students like the ones we have been in contact with since the college moved to online and alternative methods of learning — learners like Ashley, John, Chris and more, who either didn’t have a computer or didn’t have updated equipment to handle the technology needs to complete their courses, and students like Anna and Jen, who are staying in a shelter but needed funds for basic essentials.

More information about the non-event will be available on the Foundation’s webpage at www.LLCCFoundation.org, and Dr. Warren will be sharing information as well in an article that will be published in this Sunday’s State Journal-Register. Please feel free to contact the Foundation at LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu with any questions.