Stamford Group Rolls Out Scholarship Drive

STAMFORD, Conn. – Tony D’Amelio and Jim McClafferty are two of several volunteers who helped start Stamford Dollars for Scholars to lessen the burden of paying for college for some high school students in Stamford.  

“Its hope is to rally and to mobilize the community around scholarships,” D’Amelio said of the organization.

To keep the focus on Stamford, its volunteers are all from the city and the only students eligible are those who went to high school in Stamford or who live in Stamford, D’Amelio said.

He has long provided scholarships at his alma mater Wethersfield High School, and he and his wife wanted to do the same in Stamford. It was hard to get started, D’Amelio said, because the guidance counselors were “stretched” with other duties and had little time to help. He came up with the idea of starting the chapter in March. After drumming up interest and getting feedback, it was officially formed in August.

The organization will provide students with recurring scholarships over their four years in college and those scholarships will be of significant amounts, McClafferty said. He also said the application process will be streamlined for its many scholarship awards.

“With this, you apply once and are eligible across the board,” McClafferty said. His son is a freshman in college and is familiar with the usually complicated scholarship application process, he said.

Stamford Dollars for Scholars is a chapter of the national Scholarship for America organization and is one of 1,100 local chapters. Being a part of the national organization helped by providing assistance and tips for getting people involved, they said.

In addition to accepting monetary donations from people and businesses, the organization will also raise money by holding events. Its first one, “An Evening with Tom Brokaw,” will take place Jan. 10 at the Palace Theatre.

Stamford Dollars for Scholars plans to award its first scholarships this spring. To help or learn more about Stamford Dollars for Scholars, visit its website or send email to info@sd4s.org. Tickets for the Tom Brokaw event can be purchased through the Palace box office. 

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