Growing Support for the CCHS’s METCO Program & The Abby Fund

The year 2010 was transformative for The Abby Fund. After receiving the New York University grant in 2008 to establish a scholarship in honor of outstanding METCO student Abdirauf Abdullahi (1988-2006), and then producing the first cross-cultural benefit performance in 2009, the Fund’s board members viewed this year as a chance to build relationships, launch our website, and approach the endowment goal half-way mark of $10,000.

Ever closer to our goal, a result of generous donations, The Abby Fund is even more excited by the community anticipation witnessed while preparing for the second benefit performance in March 2010! With over one hundred volunteers & performers catering to a crowd of well-over 200 attendees, the event was truly a celebration of diversity, music, education, and family. The Abby Fund was able to host performers graciously with the support of local businesses such as: AlphaGraphics, Concord Toy Shop, Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Farfalle, Nourish (Lexington), and Provisions.

The success of 2010 informed The Abby Fund of the need to change our performance schedule. Due to the enthusiasm of elementary school families, and in response to those disappointed by the inconvenience of spring event-hopping, The Abby Fund has opted to move the beloved spring benefit to the fall – thus, we will not celebrate together during this school year, but instead in fall 2011!

Finally, Sam Presti’s donation to the CC Scholarship Fund in May was an encouraging testament to the growing support for the CC METCO program. The Anthony Halls-Keenan Smith Scholarship Fund has been permanently endowed by Concord-Carlisle High School alumnus Sam Presti (Prestigiacomo), the current General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team. Presti funded this scholarship to honor his close high school friends, Anthony Halls and Keenan Smith, who were participants in the METCO program at CCHS and who had a tremendous influence on his life. In particular, Hall’s and Smith’s work ethic, both athletic and academic, inspired Presti. The Halls-Smith Scholarship will recognize CCHS METCO graduating seniors who: (1) possess good academic and attendance records; and (2) have demonstrated a strong athletic performance.

The Abby Fund once again thanks the CC Human Rights Council for being an outstanding example of community service, and looks forward to further collaboration with the CCHS METCO program as well as the METCO Parent Council.