Stronger Families. Stronger Communities. Stronger Washington

Last night was my last meeting presiding over the Centralia College Foundation as President. I encourage the community to continue investing in the future of our students and community.

I thoroughly enjoyed being president over the past 3 years and having the opportunity to work with a great Board and great staff to give back to the Centralia College campus, faculty, students, and the entire community. I am looking forward to remaining a board member and supporting the college and our students. Join me!

Investments in Student Scholarships!

In 2018, the Centralia College Foundation invested $776,000 in over 350 Centralia College students!! In 2019, more than 400 students received over $650,000 in scholarships and tuition waivers. This year, 359 students were offered a total of $540,000 worth of scholarships and tuition waivers!

Over the past three years, the Centralia College Foundation offered almost $2 million to Centralia College Students. Thank you to the amazing donors, sponsors, and community for supporting the Foundation’s efforts to open doors and opportunities for our students.

You can donate to the Foundation at the Foundation Donate Page!

Investment in Faculty and Programs!

In 2018, the Centralia College Foundation raised money at the annual gala to purchase a nursing simulator for the nursing programs. In 2019, the Centralia College Foundation raised money at the annual gala to purchase a logging simulator for the new Southwest Washington Flexible Trades Center (SWFTC)!

The Foundation also awards exceptional faculty, distinguished alumni, funds student and faculty research projects, and collaborates with the Lewis EDC on the Smart Tank Competition.

Supporting Career Ready Students!

A cornerstone to any successful community is a quality education. Whether college bound or career ready, the College Foundation wants to prepare our students to be successful in the workforce and in the changing global economy. #TradesEducation #Education

Thanks to a grant from Trans Alta and our generous donors, the Foundation is constructing a 12,000-square-foot training facility, Southwest Washington Flexible Training Center, for students and adults seeking careers in the trades.

“The mascot at Centralia College is Blazer Bill — Trailblazer Bill — and that’s exactly what the college and foundation are doing,” Abbarno added. “They are blazing a trail of opportunities in our community. They identify needs, they identify needs in our workforce, they identify needs with our students and those in our community who are looking for a second chance and a second career through vocational and trades.”

Centralia College East- Morton

The Centralia College Foundation held its first ever board meeting in Morton at the Centralia College East Campus! I am confident it won’t be our last!

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Thank you Kelli Bloomstrom and all the faculty and staff at Centralia College in Morton. Learn more about Centralia College (Oldest Continually Operating Community College in the State of Washington) and the Centralia College Foundation (Founded in 1982 with $50 and a handshake) by visiting www.centralia.edu. #Committed2Education

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Peter Abbarno, Blazer Bill, and Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper at the Business After Hours event at Centralia College East

Thank you Centralia College Foundation, Morton Country Market, and Visit East Lewis County for sponsoring the Business After Hours at Centralia College East. There are great things happening at Centralia College East and throughout Centralia College.

Community Events to Support Scholarships

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Abbarno Family with Blazer Bill at the Scavenger Hunt.

“I am proud of our community’s economic diversity,” added Peter Abbarno. “Today was about raising money for our Centralia College students, shopping local to remind us to #ChooseLocalFirst, as well as friendship, family, and connecting. #CCScavengerhunt19

The Abbarno family was proud to join teams from around our community for the annual Centralia College scavenger hunt to benefit the President’s Scholarship Fund through the Centralia College Foundation.

Last year, my law office Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP supported the Twin Cities Rotary Club at a very fun evening raising awareness and money for literacy and Centralia College Foundation scholarships at The Unhappiest Hour: A Murder Mystery Dinner.

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Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP at Twin Cities Rotary Murder Mystery to benefit scholarships at Centralia College

The Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program has a very positive and productive relationship with both Centralia College and the Centralia College Foundation. It has been an honor to support the Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program.

Thank you!

Thank you to all the volunteers, donors, supporters, staff, and Board of Trustees with Centralia College and the Centralia College Foundation. To learn more about how you can support the Centralia College Foundation, visit at www.centralia.edu/foundation/

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