SANFORD - Support for Central Carolina Community College's educational mission and its students received a sweet thank-you at the CCCC Foundation's June 12 Sweet Celebration.

Foundation donors and others gathered at Cafe 121 in downtown Sanford for a reception of hors d'oeuvres created by students from the college's Culinary Arts program. The guests attending fund student scholarships at the college or support it in other ways.

"What you do is so meaningful to our students," CCCC President Bud Marchant told the gathering. "Many couldn't come to college without the help you provide. We want to say, thank you."

During the reception, Marchant presented a plaque to Sanford florist Eddie Baker, owner of floral designs by eddie. The plaque states, "With sincere appreciation for your generosity and the beautiful floral designs you have provided to Central Carolina Community College. Thank you, Eddie!"

"Eddie has been a friend of the foundation and the college for many, many years," Marchant said.

He noted that one of the most memorable events on which Baker worked with the college was the 50th Anniversary celebration in July 2011 at the college's Emergency Services Training Center. Baker donated balloons and helium to blow them up, then stayed all day to inflate them, even though the temperature soared to 103 degrees.

Baker, a native of Sanford, opened his florist business in 1991. Since then, he has provided flowers for many college events, frequently at no- or discounted cost. He has also loaned items for events and shared his expertise in setting up and arranging them.

"It meant a lot to me to receive this," Baker said of the plaque. "I enjoy helping the college out - it does a lot for the community."

Among those gathered for the Sweet Celebration were husband and wife Sam Gaskins and Lynda Turbeville, of Sanford, who fund four scholarships through the CCCC Foundation to assist students in paying for their educations.

"CCCC is such an important part of the community," Turbeville said.

The Foundation currently has scholarship endowments totaling more than $3.3 million. During the 2013-14 school year, it provided scholarships to more than 185 students.

"We truly have fantastic support from our local communities in Harnett, Chatham, and Lee Counties," said Emily Hare, director of the CCCC Foundation and Development Office. "Our donors know how many of our students need financial support to be able to achieve their educational goals and they make sure it happens through their kindness and generosity. We couldn't be more grateful!"

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of the college. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants. For information about the Foundation, contact Emily Hare, 919-718-7230 or ehare@cccc.edu. For more information about CCCC, visit www.cccc.edu.