TP_021419

6 | February 14, 2019 | The tinley junction news
tinleyjunction.com
Gala celebrates 25 years of Lincoln-Way foundation
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
In its 25 year history, the Lincoln-Way
High School District 210
Foundation for Educational Excellence
has raised hundreds of thousands
of dollars to benefit the three
Lincoln-Way schools and area students.
It celebrated this impressive
history with a Dinner Gala at the
Odyssey Country Club in Tinley
Park on the evening of Saturday,
Feb. 9.
Along with providing a night of
good food and even better company,
event organizers also set out to
raise more money than ever before
in order to offer additional scholarship
opportunities to students at
Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way
West and Lincoln-Way Central. The
goal is to provide each of the three
high schools with $7,000 in scholarships
– $21,000 total – to support
students’ continued education.
“Our appeal this year is for people
to allow us to ask them to generate
$6,000 of additional monies
towards scholarships that we give
to graduating seniors. That would
push us over our maximum that we
have ever given,” said the foundation’s
executive director, Bob Kennedy.
“We’re trying to set the bar a
little higher.”
Prior to hearing this year’s presentation
and appeal, the over 200
guests were treated to a dining
experience. Kennedy added that
the event is always held around
Valentine’s Day so everyone can
“demonstrate your love of Lincoln-
Way.”
“This event is put together and
run by our Dinner Gala Committee,
which is a group of volunteers
from the community who are likeminded
in their belief of raising
funds that are used to enhance educational
opportunities at all three of
the high schools. That committee
puts together a wonderful dinner,”
said Kennedy. “We have butlerserved
hors d’oeuvres. We have a
five course gourmet meal, an open
bar and a DJ.”
Bolingbrook resident Joanne Pavilon
and her husband, C.J., have
attended the gala on several occasions
– as guests of Laura and Lou
Comedian Tracy DeGraaf (left), who served as the auctioneer and Lockport resident Lisa Kurzawa, chat at the
Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Dinner Gala at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park on the evening
of Saturday, Feb. 9. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
An ensemble from the Lincoln-Way East Orchestra performs at the Dinner Gala held in Tinley Park.
Filosa (LWSRA Foundation) – and
she always enjoys the evening’s offerings.
“It’s really nice. It’s always near
Valentine’s Day so it’s fun to get
out and enjoy a lovely dinner. We
like the dancing and good company,”
said Pavilon.
Several elected officials, business
leaders and members of the
Lincoln-Way community were
also in attendance. The silent auction
offered a chance to win dozens
of elaborate gift baskets and
the live auction gave attendees the
opportunity to win prizes such as
a Chicago getaway, dinner for 10
at Francesca’s Restaurant Group,
a golf package at Olympia Fields
Country Club and more, while raising
additional money for the foundation.
Frankfort resident Penne Scaletta
– a guest of Peggy Slager from the
Frankfort Chamber of Commerce –
was looking forward to all the fun.
“I’m hoping to bid on something
good. I’m really excited about
that,” said Scaletta.
The Lincoln-Way High School
District 210 Foundation works to
help as many students as possible
as they pursue further educational
and career opportunities. Each
school awards its own scholarships
– following criteria from the
foundation – with a goal to reach
students with above average grades
and excellent school citizenship,
who may not have as many opportunities
for scholarships as those
who are elite athletes, top musicians
and in the top of their class
academically.
“We want to help give them
some relief because the scholarship
money can be used for general
purposes, anything from books to
room and board or meal plans and
tuition. We try to make sure these
scholarships benefit as many kids
that are graduating seniors as we
can for the dollars involved,” said
Kennedy.
Along with offering scholarships,
the foundation has helped
District 210 in a number of ways
including providing money to
make the schools Wi-Fi accessible,
install activity boards and supply
Lenovo laptop devices and software,
among other things. Looking
forward to the next quarter of
a century, the foundation plans to
continue to support students and
their educational aspirations.
“I envision our foundation to
continue to provide educational
enhancements, things that focus
on technology and items that will
help these kids prepare for higher
education and a successful career.
It’s hard to say in 25 years if we’re
going to be driving around in jets,”
Kennedy said with a laugh. “But,
the things that we’re doing at the
high school level will help prepare
these kids for a quality experience
in higher education.”
The Lincoln-Way community
will have several more opportunities
to attend foundation fundraisers
in the coming months as
the second annual Summer Fest
– featuring Maggie Speaks – will
be held at CD & ME on June 28.
The organization’s third annual
Half Marathon will return to Breidert
Green on Sept. 14 and the
event will offer a new 10K option
as well.
More information about the Lincoln-Way
Foundation can be found
at www.lw210.org/foundation.