District 88 Foundation thanks community for support of inaugural Gathering at the Grapevine fundraiser
The District 88 Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, supported and helped coordinate the group’s inaugural Gathering at the Grapevine fundraiser!
The event took place on Sept. 28 at DeVine Wine and Cocktail Bar in Villa Park and was a wonderful afternoon to raise funds for District 88 students. Participants enjoyed drinks, food, live music, a raffle, a silent auction and more.
Below is a recap of the event.
- More than 70 people came out and joined the foundation for a great cause.
- The event raised about $13,500.
- Proceeds will fund mini-grants to implement innovative, teacher-led initiatives that could not otherwise be funded through the district’s budget. The foundation has offered mini-grants since the 2013-14 school year and has awarded more than $49,000. This past spring, the District 88 Foundation celebrated supporting a total of 88 mini-grants to date. Recent projects include providing media production equipment for students, musical instruments for students in the Mariachi Band, cultural experiences for students and a music studio for students.
- Proceeds will fund mini-grants to implement innovative, teacher-led initiatives that could not otherwise be funded through the district’s budget. The foundation has offered mini-grants since the 2013-14 school year and has awarded more than $49,000. This past spring, the District 88 Foundation celebrated supporting a total of 88 mini-grants to date. Recent projects include providing media production equipment for students, musical instruments for students in the Mariachi Band, cultural experiences for students and a music studio for students.
- Gathering at the Grapevine wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of:
- DeVine Wine and Cocktail Bar in Villa Park
- 23 generous sponsors (view the sponsors at dupage88.net/GatheringAtTheGrapevineSponsors2024)
- OrganicLife (donated the food items)
- Three beverage vendors
- Johnny on the Box and that other guy (provided the music entertainment)
- Viento (provided the music entertainment)
- District 88 Foundation members
- District 88, Addison Trail and Willowbrook administrators
- District 88 Buildings and Grounds staff
- District 88 staff and community members, who served as volunteers
- All those who bought a ticket to attend
- Donations from local businesses and individuals, including Addison Trail and Willowbrook art department students and staff (see the list of donors at dupage88.net/GatheringAtTheGrapevineSponsors2024)
- DeVine Wine and Cocktail Bar in Villa Park
Pictured above (at Willowbrook) are Willowbrook students and staff, who donated their art pieces to the District 88 Foundation's fundraiser. They are (from left to right) senior Joshua Jackson, junior Norah (North) Luedtke, senior Quinn Duszak, junior Josephine Parkinson, junior Rebeca Timothee, senior Peter Kabat and senior Nina Young. They’re pictured with Willowbrook Art Department Head John Epple (far left), who also donated artwork.
Thank you again to everyone who made the first Gathering at the Grapevine fundraiser a success. We look forward to making it even better in the future!
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The District 88 Foundation is a member of the Partnership for Inspired Education (PIE) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves public school students in District 88, Addison School District 4, School District 45 and Salt Creek School District 48. Founded in 2009, PIE is designed to be the foundation that supports a long-term partnership with the community, businesses, schools and, most importantly, the children served. For more information, and to make a donation, go to www.dupage88.net/foundation.