Bright pink and green hearts, balloons and tissue paper poufs, adorned the walls and ceilings when live music echoed throughout the Sports Pavilion.

The City College Foundation premiered a revised version of Black Eyed Peas’ hit song, “Where is the Love,” re-written as “Show Us Your Love,” to kick off this year’s campaign for Student Success on Friday, March 15.

More than 500 students, faculty members and City College alumni showed up for the event.

Superintendent-President Dr. Lori Gaskin called the party a “friend raising” event, marking the beginning of a six weeklong effort to raise $1 million for our campus.

Neil Kreisel, board president of the foundation said that despite there being around 200,000 people in the community, with many saying they care about City College a very small percentage actually donate to the school.

“We did a survey and found that almost every family in Santa Barbara has someone who goes here, someone who went here, or knows someone that goes or has gone here,” Kreisel said. “What we need to do is get all the people who love us, to show us.”

Booths lined the pavilion walls and represented different departments and programs from City College. Center tables featured culinary department creations, including pink and green frosted cupcakes. Outside, “The Burger Bus” and “McConnell’s” ice cream truck provided treats for those who attended.

Dean Doug Hersh was the creative director and executive producer for the video. Film major Jesse Boels directed the video and worked with a cast and crew of City College staff and students. Philosophy major Meighann Helene helped contribute to the lyrics to “Show Us Your Love.”

The video is starring students, faculty, children and local community members wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, dancing with cutout hearts and singing along to the revised lyrics and familiar tune.

The Campaign for Student Success was created three years ago by volunteers and City College alumni and originally had around 1,000 donors.

“This campaign is about trying to reunite, reconnect and get back on campus,” said Robyn Parker, president of the alumni board.

Last year, the campaign raised $800,000. This year, its goal is to get up to 5,000 donors to raise $1 million.

Every donation made up to $400,000, will be matched 50 cents on the dollar by a major donor. Some of these donors include the Luria Family, Maryan and Richard Schall, Winslow Maxwell and Orfalea Early Learning Center.

“Tonight is about giving back to SBCC!” said Parker.

All the money raised goes directly to students in form of scholarships, books, internships, tutoring, and childcare for single parents.

“Teachers, friends, and family help us,” pleads the song. “It’s you we think the world of, ‘cause you can help us, help us keep growin,’ show us your love,” and that’s exactly what the campaign is about.

To learn more or donate to the campaign for Student Success, visit:

http://www.showusyourlove.org