Heart of the Mountain
About the Heart of the Mountain
At South Mountain Community College, we believe every student’s journey deserves a chance, no matter what life throws their way. But too often, a sudden car repair, medical expense, or emergency hardship can derail a student’s progress. That’s why we’re launching the Heart of the Mountain campaign: to support our Verna McClain Student Emergency Fund, which provides up to $500 within 48 hours to students facing unexpected financial burdens.
This event, Heart of the Mountain: From Emergency to Empowerment, is more than just a fundraiser - it’s a public declaration that our community will not let obstacles push students off their path. It’s a climb together toward stability, growth and success.
Why Sponsor?
Direct Impact
Your gift helps students overcome financial roadblocks and stay enrolled, reduces dropout risk and propels them toward completion.
Visible Leadership
Sponsorship aligns your organization with tangible, student-centered outcomes. Your name will appear in event materials, signage, digital campaigns and public acknowledgments.
Community Investment
As a sponsor, you help strengthen the fabric of our community by investing in educational access and workforce readiness.
Brand Alignment with Purpose
Your support becomes synonymous with resilience, hope, and opportunity. These qualities resonate deeply with students, families, and the broader public.
Markus Wheaton
SMCC College and Community Impact Award
The Spring 2026 Heart of the Mountain gala will be celebrating former NFL player Markus Wheaton with the South Mountain Community College’s inaugural College and Community Impact Award!
This award honors an individual or organization whose philanthropy, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships have meaningfully reduced barriers to access, persistence, and success for South Mountain Community College students and the college community. This award recognizes sustained investment of time, talent, or resources that has opened doors, strengthened pathways, and created lasting opportunities for students and residents striving to transform their lives.
Originally from Phoenix, Markus Wheaton has partnered with the college on continuous efforts to expand the reach of our food drives, including greatly expanding the annual Turkey Drive, where the college hands out free turkeys, as well as other food and necessities, to families in need. His efforts directly support the students and families of this community who may be struggling with food insecurity, a hurdle that can easily derail even the most dedicated of students.
This past year the community turnout was enormous, and with the impact that Markus has made, that effort is poised to continue to grow in the coming years.
Thank you, Markus, and congratulations!
About the fund
About the SMCC Student Emergency Fund
The South Mountain Community College Student Emergency Fund is available for SMCC students who are experiencing an emergency and in need of immediate financial resources to support their student success.
The scholarship is named after Verna McClain, who is often referred to as the “Mother of South Mountain Community College.” Verna left a legacy of camaraderie and advocacy to build a united and educated community in South Phoenix.
At SMCC we celebrate Verna's instrumental role in the creation of the college, and this fund honors her legacy in helping to ensure that every student can achieve their career and educational goals, no matter the emergency they may face.
Verna McClain
Honorary Chairs
Thank you to our Honorary Chairs!
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Sponsorship Level Benefits
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Sponsor ad in program
- Full page sponsor ad in program
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Logo on program cover
- Logo on AV slide
- Logo on step and repeat banner for official pics
- Two tables (16 seats) at gala
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Full page sponsor ad in program
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Logo on program front cover
- Logo on AV slide
- Two tables (16 seats) at gala
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Full page sponsor ad in program
- Full page sponsor ad in program
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Logo on AV slide
- One table (8 seats) at gala
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event, and at the red carpet
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Half page sponsor ad in program
- Logo on AV slide
- One table (8 seats) at gala
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Half page sponsor ad in program
- Logo on all AV slides
- One table (8 seats)
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Logo on signage near bar area
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Half page sponsor ad in program
- Logo on AV slide
- One table (8 seats)
- Logo on formal email “Save the Date”
- Logo on email blast
- Logo on pop up banner at the front entrance of the event
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Half page sponsor ad in program
- Logo on AV slide
- One table (8 seats)
- Recognized in SMCC social media and website
- Logo on AV slide
- One table (8 seats)