This holiday season, we hope you will join us in ensuring that the gift of opportunity remains available to deserving students. This special gift, which Martha Berry first provided over a century ago, continues to transform lives and provide bright futures for hardworking Berry students like the Widner sisters below.

Lilah Widner arrived at Berry dreaming of a future as a primary care physician serving rural communities like her South Georgia home. At Berry, the pre-medicine major with minors in chemistry and music found a supportive community that helped her thrive. Seeing Lilah flourish, sister Callie - younger by just 13 months - followed in her footsteps.

Their family knew it would be a challenge to afford college for both daughters at the same time. Mom, a teacher and school administrator, and Dad, owner of a plumbing and air conditioning business, worked hard to make it possible. Then, the unexpected happened. As they prepared to move Callie to Berry, the girls' dad grew sick with COVID-19 and was unable to work for some time. The family's plans seemed to unravel.

Thankfully, the generosity of our Berry family provided Lilah and Callie with scholarships to help meet their need. Now, two and a half years later, both sisters are on track to graduate in May with bright futures ahead. Lilah has been accepted into two medical schools, and Callie is completing a major in communication with an eye toward a career in brand marketing. None of this would have been possible without the support from alumni and friends like you.