Reunion to raise money for grants

By Dana Netzel

The DeKalb Education Foundation plans to relive the 50s, 60s and 70s while raising money for DeKalb area schools through its “All Community Class Reunion.”

“Our main goal is to have a fun time,” said foundation vice president Cheryl Countryman. Anyone interested in learning more about the foundation or wanting to support the children of DeKalb are invited, she said.

The education foundation is a group of 13 private community members who raise funds for education in the DeKalb school districts.

The foundation also reviews requests to decide what the money will be used for. “It is by the community, for the community,” said Foundation Treasurer Jaque Mazanowski.

Donating money for new books, field trips, assemblies and computers are some of the projects the foundation has already completed for schools in the DeKalb area.

Foundation members believe “education affects all facets of the community and it provides for the future,” Mazanowski said.

The reunion is a kick-off for the foundation’s annual membership drive and will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 in DeKalb Park District Community Center on Sycamore Road.

This year, the foundation is trying to launch the membership drive with more style than in previous years by inviting all community members and sponsoring a fun event with dancing all evening, Mazanowski said.

The evening’s itinerary will include information on the foundation, a brief presentation, a dessert buffet and McCabe’s Mobile disc jockey featuring 50s, 60s and 70s music.

“The foundation board designed the evening to be a fun opportunity for people to learn about the positive impact they can have on education,” said Kathy Siebrasse, foundation president.

A donation of $10 per person is requested. “It (the reunion) is sponsored by 18 businesses, so the $10 donation will be used exclusively for grants, services and supplies for DeKalb schools,” Mazanowski said.

The foundation provides enrichment for DeKalb school district students by funding district programs that have been cut or contributing money where there is a lack of funds. The foundation also betters NIU students because they are a major part of the community, Mazanowski said.

This is the foundation’s third year in existence and $25,000 has already been spent on grants and requests by individuals from DeKalb school districts.

For more information contact the foundation at P.O. Box 546, DeKalb, IL 60115 or call 758-8269.