The Greenfield based literacy project fundraiser with Rachel Maddow brought in more than $60,000.
NORTHAMPTON -- More than 700 people turned out Sunday morning to hear Rachel Maddow celebrate City Council President William Dwight upon receiving his GED -- in the process raising $60,000 for the Greenfield-based Literacy Project.
The eponymous star of MSNBC-TV and Dwight are friends going back to her radio days at the radio station The River, and she agreed to speak at his graduation.
In a wide-ranging and humorous speech, Maddow cited public figures who have achieved notoriety for extracurricular pursuits -- such as former president George W. Bush taking up painting, and actress Jennifer Tilly winning the 2005 World Series of Poker Ladies No-Limit Hold'em tournament - as examples of transformation and hope.
In addition to Maddow's talk, the event included a performance by the Young at Heart Chorus and local songwriter Erin McKeown, who co-wrote a song with Maddow. Mayor David Narkewicz and his predecessor, Mary Clare Higgins, conferred Dwight's diploma.
Organizers said the event gave hope and help to the Literacy Project as well.
With $200,000 in budget cuts, they have had to eliminate night classes and close down in June, said Judith Roberts, the project executive director. She had been hoping to raise $35,000 to keep the project open to next June.
After compiling the results the sale of 733 tickets, 70 shy of a sellout, raised $30,000. Pledges made at the event to help buy books and matched by an anonymous donor raised about $23,000 more and $7,000 came from program ad sales. That money will pay for their expenses, she said.
“It cost TLP $2500 per year per student to run our program; this allows 24 adults to attend our free classes,” she wrote in an email. “Or you can look at it that it pays our 10 professional teachers for 6 more weeks per year.
“We are totally thrilled with the results of this fund-raiser. It was a heart event for us; so many good friends and supporters helping us.”
This was the largest fund-raiser for the project that provides classes in Greenfield, Orange, Northampton, Amherst, Ware and Warren to about 500 people a year.