District 88 names Gathering at the Grapevine supporters as October Business Partners
During its Oct. 19 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education, along with the administration, recognized supporters of the District 88 Foundation’s third annual Gathering at the Grapevine fundraiser as Business Partners. The Business Partner program honors companies, organizations and individuals for their collaboration in building futures for District 88 students and helping to accomplish the district’s mission and vision.
This year’s fundraiser took place on Sept. 19, and about 80 people attended the event.
The foundation raised more than $12,000, which will fund mini-grants to benefit students through implementing 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. Since that time, 120 mini-grants have been awarded, and more than $106,000 has been secured for students. To view a list of mini-grant recipients, go to www.dupage88.net/Foundation.
The foundation’s third annual Gathering at the Grapevine was a success thanks to:
- DeVine Wine and Cocktail Bar in Villa Park (the event venue)
- 24 generous sponsors (view the sponsors at dupage88.net/Sponsors&Donors2026)
- 31 generous donors (view the list of donors at dupage88.net/Sponsors&Donors2026)
- OrganicLife (donated the food items)
- Three beverage vendors (view details at dupage88.net/WineVendors2026)
- Live music entertainment provided by:
- Viento Woodwind Quintet (with District 88 alumna Martha Mitchell Cavender)
- Johnny on the Box and that other guy, featuring John McCarthy and Jeff Vittorio, with special guest Dorothy Shaw on the violin (who are all graduates of District 88)
- Viento Woodwind Quintet (with District 88 alumna Martha Mitchell Cavender)
- 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 for the event
- All those who bought a ticket to attend
During the Oct. 19 District 88 Board of Education meeting, the individuals and businesses listed below were in attendance and were recognized for their support of the fundraiser, without whom this event would not be possible.
|
Name |
Company/group |
Support of Gathering at the Grapevine |
|
Amit Thaker (pictured above, third from left) |
ReferralGPS |
Sponsor |
|
Jim and Dianne Luebker (pictured above, right and third from right) |
Former District 88 Board of Education member |
Sponsor |
|
Linda Z. Polacek (pictured above, second from right) |
Candidate for State Senate, District 23 |
Sponsor |
|
Martha Mitchell Cavender (pictured above, second from left) |
Viento Woodwind Quintet, Bassoonist (and District 88 alumna) |
Provided live music entertainment |
|
Pam Hamil (pictured above, left) |
Addison Park District |
Donated items for the raffle |
To watch the presentation (which includes photos from the fundraiser), click on the video above.