IN PHOTO: Members of the Seeds of Hope committee display donated items for the FVTC Food Pantry.

The Fox Valley Technical College Foundation’s Seeds of Hope (SOH) fund hit a milestone of 10 years in helping students deal with personal emergencies.

SOH began in 2007 when a number of employees decided to start a fund to help students overcome life’s hiccups. Things like a flat tire, an unexpected medical bill or an unbudgeted cost related to childcare can happen to anyone. For students juggling family and work such challenges can jeopardize their ability to remain focused in college. The FVTC Foundation provides grants through SOH to assist students who experience such emergencies.

Successful volunteer-run fundraisers over the years like Garden Talk and the annual One-Stop Shop Holiday Craft Fair (Saturday, Nov. 18) have contributed toward SOH’s growth. The November craft fair brings in more than 2,500 people each year and raises around $17,000 for the fund.

Congratulations to all FVTC employees who have worked tirelessly to make this fund a reality, and in turn remove some anxiety for our students as well.

A 10-Year Snapshot of Seeds of Hope:

• $270,000+ in grants awarded to FVTC students
• 926 grants awarded
• Hundreds of items collected and donated to the FVTC Food Pantry from SOH volunteers