Local mayors to compete for 'Fastest Eating Mayor in Town' at Pizza Wars 2014
SKOKIE, IL (JANUARY 16, 2014) – The District 219 Education Foundation, with the assistance of the student organization Dance Marathon, will host its 4th annual Pizza Wars on Thursday, January 16th, 2014.
The Foundation's signature fundraiser, “Pizza Wars 4: May The Fourth Be With You”, will take place at the contest gym at Niles West High School (5701 Oakton, Skokie) from 6-8pm. Directly before the main event, area mayors are coming together to compete for the title of “Fastest Eating Mayor in Town”! At 5:30pm, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Morton Grove Mayor Daniel DiMaria, Lincolnwood Mayor Jerry Turry, and Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo will race to see who can eat pizza the fastest.
Pizza tasting open to the public will begin at 6pm, with the contest ending at 7:15pm. The trophy for best pizza will be awarded at 7:30pm. Advanced ticket prices are $12 per person, $40 for a family of 4, and $15 per person at the door. The evening will also feature live entertainment from Niles West and North student bands, face painting, a balloon artist and a strolling magician for the young at heart. Tickets may be purchased on the Foundation's website at www.219foundation.org. Participating pizzerias include Lou Malnati's, Barnaby's, Father & Son Italian Kitchen, Giordano's, Gulliver's, Jet's Pizza, Nancy's, OrganicLife, Papa John's, Village Inn, and Wa-pa-ghetti's.
Approximately three out of every ten District 219 students qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program, a number that has grown dramatically since the Foundation was formed. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $135,000 in grants in the form of graphing calculators, refurbished computers, AP testing, college entrance exams, community college scholarships, and college campus bus tours for students who may not have considered higher education until their visit. More recently, the Foundation has also been providing school supplies and breakfast bars to students in need. All funds raised will be used to benefit the students of District 219.
A special thank you to the businesses and companies that are helping the Foundation's cause: CostCo Niles, Evanston Subaru, Fear City, Heartland Law Firm, Illinois State Representative Lou Lang, North Shore Community Bank, Scentsy, Sport Clips, the Tennes Family, Diana & Edwin Vdovets, and the Niles Township Federation of Teachers D219 as “Extra Cheese and Sausage” sponsors, AAA Insurance, Skokie Caucus Party, the Lorge Family, and the Niles Townships Support Staff D219 as “Cheese Only” sponsors, and First Bank & Trust as “The Works” sponsor. Please visit the District 219 website at www.219foundation.org for more information or to purchase tickets for Pizza Wars 4.
ABOUT DISTRICT 219 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Niles Township High School District 219 Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Foundation's purpose is to enrich education for Niles Township High School students by providing additional resources, outside the scope of the regular district budget. It is incorporated separately from Niles Township High School District 219. The Foundation supports various alumni programs and events, including fundraising efforts, through its Alumni Coming Back program. It is located at 7700 Gross Point Road, Skokie, Illinois. For more information, please call 847-626-3959, or visit the website.