Foundation 205, the privately funded nonprofit foundation that provides financial support to Elmhurst School District 205 students, teachers and programs, plans to host its first ever Virtual Showcase Fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6.
The hourlong Virtual Showcase, hosted by television personality and producer Kerry Sayers, will feature Chicago comedian Pat McGann and York High School student — and TikTok sensation — Sofie Sanfilippo, as well as student performances from York High School, Sandburg Middle School, and Edison Elementary School.
The program will also include interviews with teachers and others associated with the Foundation and videos of students in Foundation-funded settings.
The event is free to view but advanced registration is recommended for direct access to the live event at Home — Foundation 205 Showcase | Standing Strong For Our Students (aesbid.com)
Organizers say the event is a great community collaboration, as the Virtual Showcase benefits both Elmhurst’s students and local businesses.
“We’ll be asking people to make donations,” said Kristi Amendola, the Foundation’s executive director. “There’ll be an online auction as well, which begins Monday, Feb. 1, going through the course of the evening of the Showcase.
“Auction items include pretty much anything you can imagine,” Amendola said. “We have a weekend of driving a Tesla, a camping package, gourmet food, golf and travel.”
Amendola said one item which is likely to draw special interest is the experience of making a TikTok with Sanfilippo, whose reported 2 million followers clearly qualify her as an expert on the medium.
Foundation 205 has also teamed with local restaurants to offer local curbside pickup dinner options for the night of the Showcase, with menu information available at the event website.
– Original Credit: Foundation 205
The Foundation may be best known for its Thiems Grants which allow district teachers to apply for funding for special programs or materials. Amendola said in the COVID-19 era, the Foundation has also provided technology support for distance learning, community resources and direct benefits to students and families.
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According to the District 205 website, since its beginning in 1989, the Foundation has provided over $2 million in educational enhancements for Elmhurst public schools. Amendola said in a typical year the Foundation raises about $200,000 and is hopeful this year’s Virtual Showcase will come near that goal.
More information on the Foundation is available at Foundation — Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 (elmhurst205.org)