Inaugural LREF Purple & Gold Gala Raises $100K for Lakewood Schools

For the sold-out crowd of nearly 400 partygoers, the Lakewood Ranger Education Foundation's first Purple & Gold Gala proved to be an evening of festivities, friends and successful fundraising on Saturday, August 19, in Lakewood High School's newly constructed wing.

The inaugural event raised more than $110,000 to support Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation programs benefitting students in the Lakewood City Schools.

"Included in this number is over $28,000 earmarked to support innovative teaching grants that will continue to make the magic in education happen every day in classrooms district-wide," said LREF Executive Director Terri M. Richards. "To everyone who attended, sponsored, donated and volunteered, we say, 'thank you' for supporting LREF and excellence and opportunities in our schools. It was truly a very special night for our community and we couldn't have done it without you!"

VIP party guests were the first to see the re-installed Viktor Schreckengost untitled, bas relief Great Lakes mural, which previously hung in the school's former "L Room." All Gala attendees also had the opportunity to celebrate completion of the school district's impressive construction program and were among the first to tour the high school's new performing arts and physical education wing.

Partygoers dined on food from a number of Lakewood restaurants, bid in silent and live auctions and mugged for the camera at a photo booth by Too Much Awesomeness Photography. They also viewed the premier of LREF's new video about the Lakewood City Schools' programming, students and teachers donors support each year.

After the main event, young alumni and young professionals, as well as Gala guests, attended a special after party, Crash the Gala, in LHS' new Black Box Theater, where they danced until midnight.

All proceeds from the evening benefit LREF's support of the schools through funding all or in part such programs (only a small sampling) as:

• Scholarships for graduating seniors
• Middle school awards
• Instrument rent-to-own and loaner programs at all levels
• Private lesson music scholarships
• LHS Model UN
• LHS Academic Challenge
• Teacher grants
• Full-time College Now counselor at LHS

For more information on Lakewood Ranger Education Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.lakewoodrangers.com or call 216.529.4033.