Alexandria Education Foundation activities raise more than $45,000

The Alexandria Education Foundation’s (AEF) annual pledge drive, along with two special fall events, the Hall of Fame and Jeans and Jewels Gala, raised more than $45,000 to enhance educational opportunities for teachers and students within the Alexandria public school system.

The AEF raises funds to preserve and enhance educational opportunities for all School District 206 students. A portion of the monies raised help strengthen the foundation’s endowment fund, as well as the teacher grants program, to help ensure future excellence and innovation in our schools.

The teacher grant program enables teachers to implement creative and innovative educational programs in their classrooms. Students district-wide have benefitted from projects funded through the teacher grants program such as technology equipment; literacy enrichment and intervention programs and equipment; materials for math, reading and writing improvement; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.

Together, the fall events hosted more than 500 guests, 240 of those attending the Hall of Fame luncheon to pay tribute to the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees: John Hawkes, Joani Nielson and Richard “Bud” Peterson. Later that day, approximately 270 attended the Jeans and Jewels Gala.

Jeans and Jewels is an event held in appreciation for “206 Club” members who annually donate $206 to the foundation. It is also a fundraiser open to the public that featured a silent auction, along with the opportunity to win special event prizes.

The 2013 events have been set for Friday, September 27 and will once again serve as a kick-off to Homecoming weekend.

Donations to the AEF are tax-deductible and directly benefit kids. For more information or to donate, visit www.alexandria.k12.mn.us/edfoundation.

Tags: local news, news, education, fundraiser