It’s been 25 years since the Blue Earth Area Foundation was created, and this November we are ready to celebrate that monumental milestone! For those familiar with the last 25 years, you may recall the annual fundraiser called Buc$ Night Out. A few years ago, a group of parents and volunteers decided to freshen it up a bit and created the Maroon and Gold Gala. Last year was another milestone year as the Maroon and Gold Gala, combined with a couple other fundraising events, raised a record setting amount for the BEA Foundation.
BEA Foundation is such an important part of BEA Schools. All the proceeds raised at the Foundation fundraising events go directly to support the students in our classrooms. The goal of the Foundation is to provide innovative educational opportunities for our students that perhaps would not have been possible without the donated funds. On average, the Foundation will see over $40,000 in requests to fund different classroom and student projects each year. Of these requests, the Foundation, on average, pledges $34,000 every year. Since 2014 alone, there have been over $330,000 requests funded!
Some of the exciting opportunities and memories funded include: 6th Grade Treks, Robotics, Youth Frontiers Courage, Kindness, and Respect retreats, Prom, Big Island Rendezvous, School Patrol T-shirts and Twins tickets, STEAM kits for classrooms, Girls Who Code, Orchestra Camp, 8th Grade Valleyfair Trip, Adventures in Cardboard, American Mathematics Competition, Apple Orchard Field Trip, and so many more!
Naturally, the Foundation would not be able to fund these exciting requests for our students without the generous support of our communities. That’s why we hope to see everyone at this year’s 25th year celebration on November 18th at Average Jo’s in Blue Earth for the Maroon and Gold Gala. Tickets are $50 each, and all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Foundation. In addition, buying a ticket puts you in the many raffle prizes for that evening - and you do not need to be present to win! The evening is full of fun, hors d'oeuvres, a live auction, and new this year - live music the entire night! This incredible local band will be showcasing many hits of the 90s to celebrate 25 years of the Foundation, so grab your best pair of zubaz, your elegant evening wear, or your BEA maroon and gold activities gear and join us for a memorable evening on Saturday, November 18th beginning at 7 pm. Contact any BEA Foundation member for a ticket, or call our Community Education office at 507-526-3172!