Montgomery Alliance Plans Cookout, Auctions to Raise Funds for Combat2College

ROCKVILLE, MD, May 26, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Montgomery Alliance for Community Giving, http://www.montgomeryalliance.org, has scheduled an old-fashioned summertime cookout and silent and live auctions to raise funds for Montgomery College's Combat2College Program. The event is planned for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16 at Smokey Glen Farm, 16407 Riffleford Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

Combat2College provides comprehensive, customized support and academic services to veterans making the transition from the military to a college environment. More than 700 veterans are students at Montgomery College's three campuses. During its 2011 Spring-Summer fundraiser, Montgomery Alliance hopes to raise $25,000 to support the C2C program. Funds raised will be matched by the Montgomery College Foundation.

Items donated so far to the auctions include bed and breakfast overnight getaway; golf lessons, a cookout hosted by several city mayors, chocolate tasting, art works, gift baskets and restaurant gift certificates. "The generosity of Montgomery Alliance supporters and local businesses, like Smokey Glen Farm, reflects the gratitude we all feel for our veterans," says Charles Atwell, a Montgomery Alliance Board Member who co-chairs the campaign. "Helping them make a smooth transition from the military to college is a tangible way to express our support."

The cookout features the specialties of Smokey Glen Farm Barbequers, including their grilled ribs and chicken and acclaimed fruit pies. Admission is $30 per person, advance reservations should be made by June 7 by calling Montgomery Alliance at 301-990-3005, responding by email to montgomery4alliance@comcast.net or visiting its website at http://www.montgomeryalliance.org.

Now in its sixth year, Montgomery Alliance is an all-volunteer non-profit that supports local health and human service agencies. Its funds are generated by its annual fall pledge campaign in local companies, agencies and city and county governments. Montgomery Alliance has the lowest operating rate of County agencies at 5 percent, which means of every $1 contributed, 95-cents are distributed directly to the charities.

Montgomery Alliance has selected various projects to support each spring. In 2008, Montgomery Alliance's Book Buddies program collected books to distribute to low income youngsters. The children's waiting room at Montgomery County's Family Justice Center was outfitted and equipped by Montgomery Alliance supporters in 2009. Last year, the spring project raised funds and in-kind donations to re-build a playground for children with special needs at the ARC of Montgomery County.

To make a reservation for the cookout, to donate an item for the auction or for additional information, contact Montgomery Alliance at montgomery4alliance@comcast.net or 301-990-3005.