Addison Trail hosts pie/dessert fundraiser to support Joey Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund

On Oct. 30, the Addison Trail Learning Services Department hosted a pie/dessert sale to raise funds for the Joey Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund.

To view a photo gallery from the event, click on the images above.

Nine Addison Trail staff members (Jessica Murphy, Julie Johnson, Judy Garcia, Mari Minor, Robert Portillo, Kendrick Thomas, Megan Lantz, Kelly Downer and Laura Weinbrenner) made their best pies/dessert items, which were available for other staff members to buy. Students in the school's Bridge, Thrive, Link 1 and Developmental Learning programs helped as well, by baking, boxing up items and taking orders. Addison Trail Learning Services teacher Jessica Sokolowski decorated the cookies.

The event raised $300 for the scholarship, which provides $1,000 each year to an Addison Trail senior.

“We had a very positive response from the staff, and even support from Addison Trail mascot Bucky Blazer,” said Robert Portillo, Addison Trail Vocational Coach.

Joey Banks was a student in the Addison Trail Learning Services program, who passed away in August 2022. He was a young man who brought happiness, love and the most amazing smile to everyone he met. Banks held firm the belief that ALL people, despite any differences, should be treated with respect and – above all else – kindness. Banks had physical limitations, so many simple things we take for granted were impossible for him. Despite this reality, he chose to see life in a positive way. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. When he smiled, which was very often, everyone immediately felt the warmth of his character. He had a great empathy for others. He wanted to see his friends and everyone else in his life have the opportunity to set and reach their goals to be successful. Throughout his life, he touched an incredible number of people and was loved by many. To read more about Banks, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/15045.