By Leslie Ballard
Need something to raise the spirits and dispel these gloomy winter days?
The Educational Foundation of Allegan Public Schools (EF) has scheduled two events that enable attendees to enjoy themselves in the coming weeks while providing funds for teacher mini-grants.
Murder at the Funeral Home, a murder mystery dinner on Feb. 17 & 18, will begin with appetizers at 6 pm before showtime at 6:30. Dinner by Q It Up barbeque will be served between acts and a cash bar (wine and beer) will be available.
“It’s fun, it’s interactive, and the first table to guess the identity of the murderer wins,” said EF President Beth Loftus.
Tickets for the sell-out event are $40 for single, $75 for couples, and $275 for a table of 8. The venue is St. Edward’s Hall at the Blessed Sacrament Church (110 N. Cedar).
This is the third murder mystery director Mary Kaspyrzk has done for EF. “All cast members are volunteers from the community who love theater and love fundraising and return year after year,” said Steve Tibbitts, co-chair and former long-time board member.
Performances have sold out in the past, and tickets are now available by e-mailing alleganed@gmail.com or contacting one of the EF board members listed at https://www.facebook.com/AlleganEdFoundation.
The proceeds from the murder mystery dinner will go to funding mini-grants for APS teachers. Towards the end of the year, the EF asks teachers to submit requests for items that otherwise would not be possible under the district’s budget.
A committee of non-educators then decides what they can fund. “We love doing it,” added Loftus. “The Foundation adds that little extra to help teachers have things to make learning fun they wouldn’t normally have and adds value to APS.”
Some of the requests awarded in the past include a greenhouse, pots and pans for home economics, math and reading classroom subscriptions, sensory machines for special needs students and headphones for hearing disabled students.
Hailey Baker, Allegan Middled School teacher recalled, “The mini grant allowed me to purchase snacks for my students that normally I would buy with my own personal money. My students know that they can always come to me for a snack when they are hungry, and feeding middle schoolers is no easy task! I am incredibly thankful for the mini grant that I received.”
“There’s a special feeling of being able to help and to get these items for the teachers’ classes,” Loftus noted. The EF has been able to fund approximately 50% of teacher requests each year.
Cash Party
Those attending the 20th Annual EF Cash Party on March 11 at the Lynx (900 Lincoln/M89) have the opportunity to win cash prizes and raffle items from 6 to 8:30 pm.
A $50 raffle ticket includes music and dancing, hors d’oeuvres, and entries for the cash prize drawings of $1,000, $500, and 5 of $100 throughout the night. A cash bar will also be open.
Tibbitts reports that 8-10 packages (or more!) will also be raffled during the night. Attendees may purchase tickets and place them in a fishbowl next to the packages they hope to win. The packages will vary in value, with many being worth over $200.
A large Solo fire pit with 4 folding Adirondack chairs will be the special raffle prize of the night along with a 50/50 drawing.
Cash Night proceeds also go to fund the teacher mini-grants.
Winners of the cash prizes need not be present to win.
Tickets are available through e-mail or from board members (see above). For those unable to attend these events but who wish to support the work of the Educational Foundation may do so by contacting alleganed@gmail.com.
“We can always use your support,” reminded Loftus.