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Community raises more than $220,000 in support of under-resourced girls

Aum Foundation’s annual gala fundraises and “friend-raises” for state-wide Pathway 2 Success Program

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The North Alabama community came out in force to show support at Aum Foundation’s annual Bollywood Night on Saturday, September 10 at the Jackson Center. 

Bollywood Night has come to be known as “the funnest fundraiser” in town, and this year was no exception. 

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The evening began with a private VIP Happy Hour where guests of Bryant Bank, Eagle Collision, Edgar’s Bakery, Five Stones Research, Fulfyld, Madison Street Wealth Advisors of Raymond James, & Raytheon were able to network with current and former students from the Pathway 2 Success program. 

The highlight of the evening was a thrilling stage presentation featuring volunteer Bollywood dancers and speeches from Aum Foundation alumni, followed by a night of dancing. 

“It was such a fun night!” said Aum Foundation Founder and President of the Board, Alka Bhargav. “Every year it amazes me how diverse our Aum community is. People from all types of companies and such different personal backgrounds come together to support the success of the girls in our program.” 

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By the end of the night, the community had helped Aum Foundation raise more than $220,000 to fund the flagship Pathway 2 Success program.

 “It currently costs about $4,000 for each girl to complete the Pathway 2 Success program in her senior year. No girl is ever asked to pay. For the 2022-2023 school year, with 52 girls spread across Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, and Selma, Alabama, it will cost us $208,000 to run the program,” said Demetria Horton, Aum Foundation Executive Director. “This year’s Bollywood Night will make an incredible impact on each girl in the program.”

More about the Aum Foundation & Pathway 2 Success

Now in its seventh year, the Pathway 2 Success program is a one-of-a-kind program that gives under resourced, high-achieving high school senior girls the opportunity for success. 

Aum Foundation works with communities in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, and Selma to eliminate the unique obstacles these girls face in pursuing generational prosperity. Through our program, students embark on a 10-month life-changing journey where they are given access to economic, emotional, and educational skills that will help them in higher education and to become high-potential workforce candidates. 

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