Fundraiser builds a solid foundation: Individuals, businesses give generously to help out NA-FC schools

Clark County

ON THE WEB

• New Albany-Floyd County Education Foundation — nafcedfoundation.org

Discussion

February 22, 2012

BY AMANDA BEAM newsroom@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Wed Feb 22, 2012, 09:02 PM EST

STARLIGHT — In an effort to raise money for Floyd County public schools, teachers, parents, business leaders and community members gathered Tuesday night at the New Albany-Floyd County Education Foundation’s Celebration.

More than 450 people attended the fundraising event, which was held at Huber’s Orchard and Winery’s Plantation Hall.

Money raised will go toward various programs funded by the organization. According to its website, last year the nonprofit gave $306,000 from corporate sponsors, grants and other donors back to NA-FC schools. The foundation sponsors and funds such Floyd County programs as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Great Classroom Grants for teachers and administrators and Junior Achievement projects. In the past, it also has helped subsidize the local Mentor MII mentoring program as well as full-day kindergarten.

Early Wednesday morning, the foundation via a Facebook update, announced it had exceeded its goal and raised more than $60,000 at the event. Tyler Bliss, a NA-FC Education Foundation executive director and New Albany High School graduate, had hoped to raise more than $50,000 from the celebration this year, including about $30,000 in sponsorships, more than double what a similar event amassed last year. The majority of the funds raised will go to technological advances, primarily the acquisition of SMART Boards, which provide an interactive learning experience to students. NAHS had the greatest need for the new media. He said the foundation will hopefully finish outfitting the school with the SMART Boards by next year.

“[The foundation believes] in the power of education,” Bliss said to the attendees. “We make sure every student in the NA-FCS system has the opportunity to succeed, not only in the classroom, but in life.”

Fellow foundation board member Jerry Finn agreed with Bliss on the need for newer computer equipment in classrooms.

“Our biggest initiative right now is to get cutting-edge technology in our schools,” Finn said. “Every child should have equal opportunity to that.”

Throughout the night, more than $50,000 of donated live and silent auction items were made available to bid upon. In the live auction, the most anticipated prize — an eight-person dinner with “Once Upon a Time” star and New Albany High School graduate Josh Dallas — which will be prepared by Bliss and Finn, fetched $2,000. In addition, a winning bidder scored a deal by paying $4,000 for an African safari for two valued at more than $5,000.

“Tyler and the committee have worked really hard to come up with some really great auction items,” Finn said. “I’m really excited Tyler and I are going to be the chefs [for the dinner with Dallas].”

More important than auction items, the event helped showcase the reason why many people donated to the organization — to benefit the kids. Talented students from the school system performed in different art formats for the audience. Orchestra members from Highland Hills Middle School and Floyd Central High School played classical pieces during the silent auction bidding.

Representing theater, cast members of NAHS’ upcoming production of “Singing and the Rain” and FCHS’s play “Seussical” sang intermittently throughout the night. New Albany senior Jenny Falcone, who plays Lina Lamont in the musical, greeted guests in her character’s costume. She said she was excited to help at the event when her teacher asked for volunteers.

“It’s worth every drop of my time,” Falcone said. “It’s for such a good cause.”

Likewise, several fifth-graders faced off against adult attendees at a SMART Board demonstration. Other informational stations included explanations about the new International Baccalaureate program, the Imagination Library and Junior Achievement.

Finn said donations to the foundation to fund such programs benefit private business and individuals. Society as a whole will benefit from a thriving economy perpetuated by an educated populace.

“We’re very blessed in this community,” Finn said. “We have great schools. We want to keep them great and make them even better.”

— Amanda Beam is a freelance writer who lives in Floyd County.