The memory of activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes was honored at an LBCC fundraiser for the “Helping Homeless Students” initiative on Thursday.
Hughes had previously spoken at LBCC in 2019, initially only at a two hour event but her trip grew to three days of several more talks.
Money was raised through participants’ purchase of raffle tickets where a variety of prizes were available.
Prizes included three sets of date night tickets, two vouchers for AMC theater, and two In-n-out gift cards were being raffled.
Hughes’ daughter, Patrice Pitman Quinn, was in attendance and offered the importance of such an event in honoring her mother’s legacy.
“I’m very pleased to honor my mother especially with people who have so much interest and real love for her and appreciation of her and are working for other people. Particularly young people, I’m very grateful that this celebration is connected to raising funds for homeless people, students,” Quinn said.
Virginia Baxter made the decision of hosting this year’s event at LBCC and discussed a piece of football memorabilia that was to be auctioned off.
“This stuff was donated, we have very generous people who give prizes… Vince Ferragamo, who was an LA Ram, gave us a signed football that we’re going to auction off,” Baxter said.
The decision of making the raffle admission and providing free refreshments was in hopes of attracting a larger crowd to the event.
The program is all volunteer based, as in they rely on individual donors and businesses to donate money into the program.
Vice President of Helping the Homeless Committee, Robyn Gordon-Peterson did comment that they rely on grants to help secure funds for the program.
“We’ve applied for and received a Ford grant to support this fundraising event and the Josesphine Gumbiner foundation has a system to assist with grants,” Robyn Gordon-Peterson said.
Gordon-Peterson also noted a donor made a significant contribution of 70,000 dollars.
The program also collaborates with the basic needs program on campus when the needs of students exceeds that of which basic needs can provide.
Quinn felt pride in how the fundraising efforts of the raffle further honored her mother’s legacy.
“My mother was a great fundraiser and I think she’s smiling down on this right now,” Quinn said.