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District 214 Golf Open Fundraiser Supports Student Success

"Your contributions give our students hope."

Those words, from Illinois High School Principal of the Year Paul Kelly, captured the impact behind the fourth annual Foundation for the Future Golf Open on August 27, an annual District 214 Education Foundation event supporting innovation and success beyond the limitations of conventional education funding.

Kelly provided the main address at the event's reception, speaking to community partners, donors, educators and other attendees about the importance of investing in education, the reward in giving back and the effect their contributions can have on building student dreams and preparing them for success.

"I believe education is the key to ensuring a prosperous, ethical and democratic future for our communities beyond," Kelly told those in attendance, "and the District 214 Foundation is an essential ally in our shared pursuit."

Dr. Lazaro Lopez, District 214's associate superintendent for teaching and learning, also addressed the crowd, introducing influential Foundation donors and students who have benefited from Foundation programming.

"You are changing lives and building dreams," Lopez told the crowd. "We have to make sure that every single learner is prepared for future success."

The Golf Open, the Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, raised a record high of more than $55,000 this year, translating to direct support for students. The total was up 10 percent from last year, with a more than 20 percent increase in sponsorships from community partners and businesses supporting the cause.

"It is absolutely fantastic to see that kind of support from our community," said Tom Munz, chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees. "There was energy there that showed us they believe in what we're doing, they believe in our educators and they believe in every student's potential for future success."

The Golf Open annually features brunch, contests, and a reception, but attendees favored the on-course food prepared and served this year by Elk Grove High School students -- who created Mexican-inspired steak skewers, quesadillas and desserts -- and the music of Buffalo Grove High School jazz musicians, who performed a variety of tunes for more than an hour.

District 214 alumni, Foundation trustees and retirees came together to staff the event, working through the late August heat. Relief from the 100-degree temperatures came in the form of ice and water delivered by Rolling Meadows Fire Chief Terry Valentino, a former Prospect High School parent, and J.C. Restoration in Rolling Meadows, which provided 200 pounds of ice to cool down golfers and volunteers.

The Open's major sponsors included Pepper Construction (Event Sponsor); Franczek Radelet, STR Partners and Trane (Platinum Sponsors); Grand Prairie Transit and Mount Prospect State Bank (Gold Sponsors); CS2 Design Group, David Perry with Guaranteed Rate, Yev Kozachuk with Edward Jones, Kriha Law, Parenti & Raffaelli and Village Bank & Trust (Silver Sponsors); and American Taxi, Arlington Heights Ford, the Daily Herald, Kizer & Associates, the Law Office of Miriam Cooper and TouchPros (Bronze Sponsors). More than a dozen individuals and companies also provided hole sponsorships, and more than three dozen partners provided raffle and silent auction contributions.

In a single year, gifts to the Foundation have empowered an estimated $250,000 in early college credits through the funding of Advanced Placement tests for students who could not afford them, college trips for more than 150 first-generation students and their parents, and innovative classroom initiatives. Donor contributions and partnerships also have fueled nearly $300,000 in new scholarships and success funds, breakfasts for in-need students, and support for adult and family literacy programs that transform generations through education.

District 214 comprises six comprehensive high schools and four specialized schools, serving more than 12,000 students as the state's large high school system. The Foundation Board comprises 19 individuals who annually shape the direction of education support and funding in line with the Foundation mission.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.214foundation.org.

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