Donations sought for silent auction to benefit college students

Sept. 26– It happens too frequently: A student graduates from High school and heads to college or technical school and although most expenses have been covered through a grant, scholarship or other funding source, the student suddenly becomes aware of an essential item such as a textbook not in the budget.

That’s where the Regional Economic Development Initiative is intended to come into play.

"The REDI staff and volunteers are working hard to help students get to college or technical school; it is so important that they do not fail or quit because of an incidental expense," said Lisa Hankins, REDI director for the Southwest Tennessee Development District. Funds could also be used to help high school seniors pay fees to apply for college.

"Our goal is not to sustain someone who is in college, but to connect the dots when necessary," she said, such as "filling a gap between when financial aid is awarded and when fees are due.

An oversight team pays team pays the fees directly to the educational institution.

To help meet these incidental needs, REDI is soliciting the donation of goods and services from area businesses for a silent auction item for the "student assistance fund."

The auction will be held during SWTDD’s annual meeting an banquet on Oct. 1 at Pickwick Inn. Donations are tax deductible.

Helping the REDI team become aware of such needs are REDI’s two college transition coaches–one at Jackson State and the other at Dyersburg State.

"Sometimes the need is as simple as pencils, notebook paper or a textbook," says Bart Barker, transition coach for Jackson State. "Part of our job is to make sure that REDI students have whatever tools they need to be successful. Sometimes that equates to encouragement and sometimes that means we need dollars."

The REDI College Access Program serves 19 public high schools in 11 counties in West Tennessee, including Hardin and McNairy counties.

REDI services are offered at no cost to students and families and is partially funded through a grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the cities and counties in the REDI region.

To make a tax-deductible donation of good or services for the silent auction, contact Lisa Hankins at 731-668-6450 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .