Dist. 54 hosts colorful, critical fundraiser

Masks, feathers and beads, oh my.

Supporters of Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 found elaborate decorations like these, and Las Vegas styled gaming tables at the Mardi Gras & Casino Night on Friday at the Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Members of the District 54 Foundation sponsored the colorful event, as one of their two major fundraisers to benefit the more than 14,000 students in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove Village, served by the district.

Foundation President, Dennis Quinn of Elk Grove Village, said the event works on two levels: drawing staff members and parents to attend, as well as corporate support from Schaumburg area businesses.

He pointed to some of its major sponsors, including Motorola, Ameriprise Financial, Harris Bank and Links Technology Solutions, all in Schaumburg, as well as Wachovia Securities in Chicago, with providing leading financial funding this year.

"We have tremendous support from the business community," Quinn said. "They know our mission is to provide educational enhancements for our students."

Last year, foundation members disbursed nearly $40,000 in total grants, including $10,000 in memorial grants, to help students afford everything from attending summer camps, to purchasing sporting equipment, to taking music lessons.

Foundation secretary Donna Anderson co-chaired the fundraiser with parent Diane Douglas. Together they worked to continue the tradition of holding the Mardi Gras and casino night, while aiming to reshape some of its details.

"The whole format lends itself to a playful event that seems to work for a school district," Anderson said. "It's something fun and active, and people are playing for prizes, there's no real gambling involved."

Nonetheless, the pair brought in more authentic looking gaming tables this year, with three different level of chips and a pit boss, to give the feel of a Las Vegas casino, while also raising the quality of the Mardi Gras decorations.

"We've tried to raise the bar," Douglas said. "Our best promotion is word-of-mouth, so if people have a good time at the event, they'll tell other people."