NEW 200 Foundation's 'Pizza Palooza' to fund technology, honor teachers

Pizza, technology and teachers may seem like an odd combo, but those are just some of the highlights of the NEW 200 Foundation's inaugural Pizza Palooza fundraiser.

The foundation was created in 1992 to enrich the education of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 students, but it recently lost momentum when longtime volunteers left as their kids grew out of the district. In the past year, foundation supporters have been working to revitalize NEW 200 with family-friendly fundraisers like Monday's Pizza Palooza that they hope will draw a lot of people.

"I think it will be a fun event," said NEW 200 President Pamela Paulsen.

The fundraiser is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 through 10. Admission includes a sampling of pizzas from Bricks, Rosati's, Evviva, Maciano's, Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Nancy's and Jack Straw's. While the slices will be a bit smaller than a regular serving, there will be enough food that everyone leaves with a full stomach, Paulsen said.

"The price point is low enough that they can just stop in and check it out, and it's something that isn't anywhere else," she said, noting that other tasting events often require attendees to pay for each portion. "My vision was to have something that your family could sit down and say, 'Which one do you like better?'

In addition to the pizza tasting, guests can take part in a silent auction and raffle with a large selection of prizes, including hotel stays, signed sports memorabilia, museum tickets, restaurant gift certificates and a variety of services, such as tutoring and haircuts.

"It's got something for everyone," Paulsen said, adding that the silent auction is already open for bids online, at palooza.myab.co.

Another highlight of the night will take place at 7 p.m., when three educators receive the foundation's 10th annual Distinguished Teacher Award.

All money raised at the event will go toward the purchase of new technology equipment, such as Chromebooks and iPads, for students.

The hope of the foundation, Paulsen said, is to start closing the gap on the technology needs at each of the district's schools.

"We're going to work with them to see what works best," she said.

Aside from raising money, Paulsen said she also hopes the fundraiser will create awareness about NEW 200 and help build new partnerships.

Paulsen noted that the foundation can't be the only solution for district's revenue limitations, but "it can definitely help our district stay competitive among other districts."

For more information on the foundation or Pizza Palooza, visit new200.org.