When it comes to fundraising, there are always two goals—the one you know you can reach and the one you dream of achieving. For Heritage’s Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner organizers, the dream number has been $1,000,000 for several years. This year, the dream came true.

After all final gifts came in through June, the total raised was $1,109,291! “It is incredible!” said David Wise, vice president for Advancement and Marketing. “A million dollars has been floating out there as a stretch goal for a few years.”

“Just think about what this means for our students. So often, we hear from them that they never thought they would be able to go to college. Then, they came to Heritage where people they never met gave the gifts that make their dream of earning a degree a reality. Time and again, they tell us that those gifts are more than the dollars they receive; they are validation that they are capable and a motivator that sees them through the challenges that inevitably come during their studies.”

Scholarship Dinner is the single largest fundraising event the university holds each year. Since its inception 38 years ago, the event has brought in more than $8 million to support student scholarships.

This year, the dinner occurred on Saturday, June 1, on Heritage’s main campus in Toppenish. Guests who attended the event in person mingled with students during the dinner reception in Heritage’s Eagles Café before making their way to Smith Family Hall for the program, which was live-streamed to audiences throughout the country. The total raised at the night’s end was an impressive $803,590. Organizers knew that the total would increase over the month as gifts from those who could not attend trickled in.

“There were a number of our most ardent supporters who had conflicts the night of the dinner and could not attend,” said Dana Eliason, senior director of development and the lead planner of the event. “It was surreal seeing the number rise closer and closer to that $1 million mark as the gifts from those who were not at the dinner continued to come it.”

“Most of our students come from economic backgrounds that make higher education unaffordable,” said Dr. Andrew Sund, Heritage president. “The unwavering community support our students receive is crucial for their ability to earn college degrees. For over 40 years, the extraordinary generosity of our donors has enabled more than 11,000 individuals to graduate from Heritage. These graduates have contributed to the community as educators, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and more throughout the Valley. We deeply appreciate their remarkable support.”

FARE THEE WELL, FRIEND

For the past 13 years, Scholarship Dinner has been the baby of Senior Director of Development Dana Eliason. She’s overseen everything from the selection of the artwork to approving gourmet menus to working her magic with donors and sponsors. Under her tutelage, Scholarship Dinner has grown from raising an impressive $150,000 event to an astonishing $1 million plus. It’s been a labor of love, but her time at Heritage is coming to an end.

Eliason is retiring and will leave her position at the university in July. While Scholarship Dinner is perhaps the work Eliason is most known for, her role at the university went much deeper. Over the years, She was part of the team that raised millions of dollars for the construction of seven new buildings on campus, the development of student support services, the development of academic programs, and, of course, student scholarships.

“Dana’s legacy at Heritage is one of dynamic inspiration, stylish presentation, active compassion and unwavering dedication,” said Bob Gerst, chair of the university’s Board of Directors. “She’s touched countless lives and leaves an indelible mark on our institution and our hearts.”