Port of Oakland employee groups to award 18 scholarships
Port employees have donated more than $1 million since programs began
Oakland, Calif. – June 21, 2018: Port of Oakland employees will award 18 scholarships by this summer. The Port Employees' Scholarship Program and the Asian Employees Association at the Port of Oakland (AEA) raised nearly $39,000 for high school seniors in May. The organizations have given out nearly $1.2 million to more than 500 students since their founding in the 1990s.
The scholarships are for high school seniors preparing for college or vocational training. They help fund post-secondary education for Oakland high school students and qualified children of Port employees.
“The Port Employees' Scholarship Program was created to encourage our youth to extend their education beyond high school and contribute to the betterment of the Oakland community,” said Ramona Dixon, Chair of the Port Employees' Scholarship Program Committee.
The top award granted by Port employees is $5,000. Edwin Burgos Perez from Coliseum College Prep Academy in Oakland is the recipient.
This is the 25th anniversary of the AEA scholarship program. “I’m grateful to my colleagues who understand first-hand the value of higher education and generously support our cause,” said AEA President Cheryl Ho.
About the Port of Oakland Chapter of the Asian Employees Association: The AEA is a non-profit organization founded by a group of Port employees in 1991. The goals of AEA are to inspire and reward outstanding academic achievement among Oakland high school students as well as children of current Port of Oakland employees. The AEA has given out 265 scholarships since 1993.
About the Port of Oakland Employees' Scholarship Program: Since 1994, the Port of Oakland Employees' Scholarship Program has awarded 281 scholarships totaling $915,000. Scholarships are administered through the Marcus Foster Education Institute. Every year employees raise funds through an annual golf tournament and employee contributions made during the Port's annual Giving Campaign.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square. The Port's 5-year strategic plan - Growth with Care - pairs business expansion with community benefits, envisioning more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.
| Media Contacts: Marilyn Sandifur Port Spokesperson Port of Oakland (510) 627-1193 Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur Mike Zampa Communications Director Port of Oakland (510) 627-1565 [email protected] |
