With the Los Medanos College quad filled with the smell of hot dogs and hot links flowing through the air on campus Monday Sept. 8, many students flew through the Umoja Cookout Fundraiser. Held by Umoja student ambassadors, the all-day event drew a couple hundred attendees who stopped by to grab a plate, donate or simply enjoy the atmosphere and environment.
The purpose of the cookout was to raise money for the Umoja Scholars Program, a learning community that provides not only academic but also personal support to students who need it.
Along with exclusive courses that are available to Umoja students, they’ve even got special access to counseling from the program coordinator Faith Watkins and participate in community events that build up the liveliness and offer study sessions as well. The fundraiser, held on Monday, not only was able to gather money but also brought together the people into a welcoming space.
“It’s going great,” said student ambassador and event organizer Bert Jeffrey. “Even if people aren’t buying anything, they are coming by donating.” The event featured a nice flow of visitors throughout the day.
While some students dropped by to grab some food as they went to class, others stayed and lingered around to enjoy the environment and the music. Many of them said the environment was very relaxing and inviting.
“I just want people to come here and have a good time” and eat,” said Umoja student ambassador Mark Tusubira. Students who attended said the fundraiser went past their expectations. Several noted how the event added a live energy to the campus quad while still maintaining a nice vibe.
By the end of the day, Umoja had managed to attract steady donations from fellow members of the program and a wide view of support from the LMC community. Organizers emphasized that the success of the event is about community, visibility and connection that was built.
For Umoja, the cookout was another chance to spotlight the importance of their program on campus. The funds collected will help sustain future programming and support the academic success of its members. More importantly, the cookout created a sense of togetherness that organizers hope to carry forward.
Looking ahead, Umoja leaders said the fundraiser’s success could set the stage for future events aimed at growing the program’s presence on campus. Student ambassadors hinted at more activities planned for later in the semester, giving both members and the wider student body more opportunities to connect. Monday’s cookout left students full, smiling and looking forward to what Umoja will cook up next.
