York TikTok Star Featured In D-205 Group's Fundraiser

Press release from Foundation 205:

Jan. 31, 2021

Foundation 205 will be hosting its first-ever Virtual Showcase Fundraiser on February 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate and support innovation for all students in Elmhurst Public Schools.
Foundation 205, a privately-funded independent organization, is directing the 2021 Virtual Showcase proceeds to student-centered priority areas which are: mental health programming, scholarships for York High School seniors, expanded school libraries with more diverse literature, and the Thiems grant program for teachers.

“From day one, our mission has been to provide students with innovative educational opportunities. Innovation carries many definitions as we evolve as a Board and as a community. Therefore, the Foundation is equally committed to excellence, unity, and inclusion," says Alison Dondlinger, Chair of Foundation 205 Board of Directors.

The Virtual Showcase will be hosted by television personality and producer Kerry Sayers. It will run for approximately one hour and will feature Chicago’s very own comedian, Pat McGann, TikTok sensation and local York High School student, Sofie SanFilippo, and student performances from York High School, Sandburg Middle School, and Edison Elementary School.

The event is a great community collaboration and support of the Virtual Showcase benefits both Elmhurst’s students and local businesses. The event is free to view but advanced registration is recommended for direct access to the live event here.

Foundation 205 Executive Director, Kristi Amendola explains: “The needs of our local students are greater and more complex than ever before. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact for our students”.

Through its Virtual Showcase, Foundation 205 has created multiple ways for community members to lend their support: family sponsorship levels are paired with deliveries from local restaurants and bakeries and Golden Raffle Tickets offer the chance to win cash prizes. Families can also participate in an online auction that will begin on February 1st and will run through the night of the event. Bidders can choose from golf outings at the most sought after courses, exclusive food and wine offerings, celebrity stylists, Covid-friendly family activities, and many other items to fit every budget and interest. Additionally, Foundation 205 has teamed with local restaurants to offer local curbside pickup dinner options for the night of the Showcase.

We look forward to a fun evening celebrating innovation, creativity, and community in Elmhurst.

About Foundation 205:
For over 30 years, Foundation 205 has been committed to flooding the Elmhurst Public Schools with innovative resources to ensure engaged learning at all levels across the district. In 2020 alone, Foundation 205 invested more than $250,000 for Elmhurst students and their families. Grants were allocated to implement innovative ideas across every school, to provide necessary technology resources for remote and hybrid learning environments, and to distribute emergency food and support for families in need, through the Community Response Fund launched in March 2020, in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

For more information please contact Kristi Amendola, Executive Director, visit the Foundation 205 website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This press release was produced by Foundation 205. The views expressed here are the author's own.