Festival of Flavors event raises $250k for scholarships

Flathead Valley Community College Foundation’s annual Festival of Flavors Grand Wine Tasting event on Nov. 5 raised more than $250,000 for student scholarships.

The Grand Wine Tasting was the first gala event hosted in the Stinson Family Event Center, the multi-purpose gymnasium space within the new Wachholz College Center on the college's Kalispell campus.

Event sponsor Fun Beverage provided the evening’s wine tastings with 12 wineries serving a variety of reds, whites and bubbly. Sweet and savory food samples came from FVCC’s Culinary Institute of Montana as well as local restaurants and caterers.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, we received great support for student scholarships at the Grand Wine Tasting. We are grateful to our many donors for helping students achieve their dream of an education,” said FVCC President Jane Karas.

FVCC Transformation Scholarship recipient and Libby resident Hailey Hoban spoke at the event about her journey from working as a part-time server and taking care of her disabled sister to her newfound dream of becoming a finance executive after beginning a career at the local credit union.

“I was honored to share my story with the people who help transform lives. I don’t have the words to describe my gratitude, but I will start with a simple thank you as my FVCC experience meant so much to me,” said Hoban during the event.

The Transformation Scholarship was created through the FVCC Foundation in 2013 and awards up to $10,000 to each recipient to assist need-based students in achieving their dream of higher education.

The Grand Wine Tasting was the final event in the year-long series of Festival of Flavors events hosted by the FVCC Foundation. This year, the FVCC Foundation set a new fundraising record by raising more than $500,000 total and hosting more than 800 people through all Festival of Flavors events.

All proceeds from FVCC Festival of Flavors events like the Grand Wine Tasting support student scholarships at the college. Approximately 80% of degree-seeking students at FVCC receive financial assistance. The FVCC Foundation awards over $1M in scholarships each year.

For more information about the FVCC Foundation and all Festival of Flavors events, visit fvcc.edu/foundation.