Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars® Hosts Tenth Annual Light the Fire for Education Benefiting Washington and Oregon Students

SEATTLE, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars® hosted its tenth annual Light the Fire for Education event last Thursday, September 13, generating nearly $38,000 from sponsors and attendees. The funds raised will be used to help create and expand scholarships for Washington and Oregon students.

"We couldn't be more grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm of our sponsors, chapter volunteers and donors," said Mike Madden, Chair, Light the Fire for Education. "The gifts we received will allow us to expand postsecondary scholarships for students in Washington and Oregon during a critical time in our nation's history. Private scholarships have never been more essential to helping students achieve their educational dreams."

The reception, held in Seattle at Salty's Seafood Restaurant on Alki, recognized the efforts of Dollars for Scholars chapters in Washington, including honoring this year's award winners – Linda Sorenson, Bright Futures Dollars for Scholars, who won the regional Outstanding Volunteer Service Award; and San Juan Island Dollars for Scholars, winner of the regional Chapter of the Year Award. Both winners received $1,000 to apply toward scholarships for their chapters.

Also presented was the Student of the Year Award, a $500 scholarship awarded to Alma-May Magday for her ongoing service to her community.

This year's Light the Fire for Education event was sponsored by the Northwest Educational Loan Association (NELA), QuoteWizard, Pierre Auto Centers, and Symetra.

About Scholarship America®
Scholarship America is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.7 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.8 million students over the last 50 years. Scholarship America's programs, which include Dollars for Scholars®, help fund both entry-level and multi-year scholarships, as well as emergency financial grants. More information is available at scholarshipamerica.org.

SOURCE Scholarship America