Great turnout – great fun – great cause
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February 22, 2023
Supporters of the Partnership for Educational Excellence of Community Unit School District 7 had a great time at the annual trivia night
The winners at the For the Love of Education trivia night on Saturday, Feb. 4, were: 1st place: Rich Stillwell team; 2nd place: Carol Miller team; and 3rd place Kimberly Rossini team. They were among the 21 tables which packed the Gillespie Civic Center for the annual and only fundraiser for The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Community Unit School District 7.
All proceeds from the lively, jam-packed evening will be used within Community Unit School District 7's (CUSD7) pre-K through 12th grade classrooms or for academic scholarships for Gillespie High School (GHS) graduates. Since 1992 The Partnership has given almost $1 million of donors' funds to the students of CUSD7.
Most recently The Partnership presented the first installment – $30,000 of a three-year, $90,000 commitment to help CUSD7 keep students' computers updated. In addition, a record 37 percent of the GHS Class of 2022 received $1,000 scholarships to support post-secondary career preparation.
Partnership president John Fassero, Jr., notes that during the 2022-23 academic year, which coincides with The Partnership's 30th anniversary, the education foundation anticipates topping $1 million in contributions to CUSD7 students.
"Each and every dollar of that $1 million has come from local residents, alums, and supporters, including individuals, businesses, professionals, and foundations," said Fassero. "Many donations came as $10 to $20 gifts. We thank all our supporters for 30 years of trust and generosity in letting us invest their hard-earned money in our children. They are our future."
The gratitude and support of CUSD7 was evident in the attendance of dozens of district employees, alumni, and students, from Superintendent Shane Owsley to GHS student volunteers and to current and retired teachers and staff.
The evening was also the kickoff for The Partnership's fifth annual Grand Raffle. The one-and-only grand prize will be $5,000 cash, if all tickets are sold, or a 50/50 payout if all tickets are not sold. The grand prize winner's name will be drawn on Palm Sunday, April 2.
An early-bird raffle drawing at the trivia contest netted $100 each for two attendees: Steve Joyce and Richard Moulton. Their tickets will also be eligible to win the grand prize.
Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $20 apiece and are available at Hicks Maytag on Macoupin Street in downtown Gillespie. Or they can be purchased from any Partnership volunteer director: Rosie Emmenderfer, John Fassero, Jr., Nancy Grandone, Mary Griffel, Donna Prevedell, Katie Ronald, Ann-Marie Bauer Ross, Carole Scheller, Susan Stromsland, Ken Tebbe, Rose Marie Tebbe, Don Throne, or Julie Zirkelbach.
The Partnership is an IRS-chartered 501(c)3, all volunteer, not-for-profit educational foundation. For more information or to donate: http://www.thepartnership7.org.
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