RICHMOND, Va. -- Some star students took front and center this weekend. With parents and loved ones cheering them on, the students accepted book scholarships from the KLM Scholarship Foundation.
The local nonprofit in its 14th year of service. It's primary mission is to give book scholarships to deserving students who attend Virginia colleges and universities.
Saturday's ceremony, emceed by WTVR CBS 6 News reporter Shelby Brown, was held at Linwood Holton Elementary School.
The nonprofit organization, comprised of more than a dozen volunteers, awarded 33 students more than $34,000.
Founder Kimberley L. Martin said it is her organization's way of giving back and promoting the importance of education.
"We are so proud because we have through the years given out a total of more than $180,000 to Virginia college students," Martin said. "We do this because of the student debt crisis. College gets more and more expensive every year, so what we want to do is do our part to make it more affordable for Virginia college students."
The majority of proceeds raised at the KLM Scholarship Foundation's annual Black & White Affair signature gala were used to fund the book scholarships.
Several generous individual donors and corporations also contribute to the KLM Scholarship Fund.
Click here to learn more about applying for a book scholarship, volunteering with the KLM Scholarship Foundation or making a tax-deductible donation.
KLM Scholarship Foundation 2016
