The fifth annual Panther Foundation Gala, held February 28 at the TPC of the Twin Cities Clubhouse in Blaine, raised more than $97,000 for students in the Spring Lake Park School District. The community-based foundation raises funds for the district’s Blaine, Spring Lake Park, and Fridley students throughout the year which are turned into grants that enrich or supplement teaching and learning.

“The generosity of our guests was overwhelming,” said Wendy Koschak, Gala chairperson and member of the Panther Foundation board of directors,” as was the enthusiasm of parents, community members, and school employees who doubled last year’s silent and live auction items. We are indebted as well to the support of long-time event sponsors Village Bank, Kraus-Anderson, and Wold Architects & Engineers.”

 

Grant projects have been varied, from increasing basic skills in math and reading, to fostering talents in the arts, to assisting school media centers with their “wish list” books and other educational resources. In addition to the grants, the Foundation has supported several special projects including “Back Packs for All” which supplied back-to-school supplies for students in need, “Welcome to Kindergarten Books” which provided a book for all incoming Kindergartners, and “Third Grade Dictionary Project,” a partnership with the Blaine/Ham Lake Rotary Club, to provide every third grade student with a dictionary.

 

The Gala also featured both silent and live auctions. Spirited live auction bidding raised over $30,000 in successful bids on items including A Walt Disney World Trip, Golf at Minnesota’s Finest Private Courses, Minnesota State Patrol Ride-Along, Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves and Vikings Tickets, a BWCA Fully-Outfitted Canoe Trip, and A Fiesta with the Three Amigos-Dinner for Six at the Superintendent’s Home.

 

The 2009 Fund-A-Dream was After-School Activity Buses. Over $5,500 was donated for the project to increase the number of after-school activity buses for K-8 students participating in after-school enrichment and academic programs.

 

This year guests had a chance to win $500 by participating in the “Heads or Tails” game. Dr. Jeff Ronneberg, assistant superintendent, and Tori Jenson, Spring Lake Park High School media specialist, were the final two participants in the game. Both generously agreed they would share the $500 prize and donate it to the high school’s media center.

 

A number of Panther Foundation members received Lifetime Membership plaques for their $1,000 donations: Ellen Delaney, Marilynn Forsberg, Judi Kahoun, Bill and Wendy Koschak, Ed and Sharon Krumme, Barbara Nellessen/Village Bank, and Randy and Tammi Provart.

 

Dr. Don Helmstetter received a plaque acknowledging his "unwavering, lifelong commitment to students; selfless dedication to the Spring Lake Park School District; caring support of the Blaine, Spring Lake Park, and Fridley communities; and inspiring leadership in the development of the Panther Foundation."

 

To view more photos from the event, click here.

A popular and fun live auction item was a Ride-along with a Minnesota State Patrol trooper. Trooper Adam Krambeer (left) with emcee Bill Koschak, was a runner-up for Mr. Minnesota. Mike & Lisa Ojile were the winning bidders for $500. Mike shared with the crowd that he plans to take his son on the ride-along.   Another live auction item was "Fiesta with the Three Amigos: Dinner with a Tex Mex flavor at Casa de Helmstetter." Pictured are Jeff Ronneberg, assistant superintendent, Dr. Don Helmstetter, superintendent, and Glenn Martin, former high school principal and former Foundation chair, who whipped up interest in the event with the little Mexican song. The winning bid was $1,750.   Seven individuals/couples received Lifetime Membership plaques recognizing their donations of $1,000. Pictured are Bill and Wendy Koschak. In addition Wendy served as the Chair of the Gala Committee, and Bill was Chair of the Donations Committee.   Parents, schools and departments, and community businesses and organizations stepped up to the plate to assist students with donations of silent and live auction items that doubled all previous efforts.