The Liberty ISD Education Foundation’s Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 17, was a spectacular success, exceeding all expectations and setting a new benchmark for the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Held at the Trinity Valley Exposition Center in Liberty, the event had some of the glitter and glam reminiscent of Las Vegas and attracted a diverse crowd of enthusiastic participants, from community leaders and local educators to parents and alumni.
The aim was clear and the stakes were high, but by the end of the night, the Foundation not only reached its goal but soared past it, amassing more than $40,000 in contributions. This amount represents the highest total ever raised in a single event since the foundation’s establishment in 2007.
More than 200 people turned out to enjoy the night of fun. Brandon Davis, president of the LISD Education Foundation Board, said the amount raised will be enough to cover a whole year’s worth of grants and expenses.
“It’s more than we’ve ever made on an event. This event is important because it helps us raise money to fund innovative teaching grants for Liberty ISD teachers to provide students with opportunities they might not have otherwise,” Davis said.
This year, Liberty ISD teachers submitted roughly 16 grant applications. Davis said the board will start going through the applications soon and hope to award the grants in the next few weeks.
“We still don’t have a clue how much we will be giving out this year,” he said.
Since the Foundation’s inception in 2007, Liberty ISD has provided roughly $325,000 in innovative teaching grants to LISD teachers.
The sponsors for this year’s event were: High Rollers – Texas Elite Electric and Von Schmidt Land and Cattle Inc.; Jackpot Sponsors – Armko Industries, Leslie Herndon, Tarver Abstract, Liberty Development Partners, Davis, Fielder and Sylvia, PLLC, Law Office of Logan Pickett, Joan Jeffrey, Holt for Texas/Janis Holt, and State Rep. Ernest Bailes; Wild Card Sponsors – Smart Materials, Inc., Nick Dennis Photography, Law Office of Michelle Merendino, Orn Plumbing, Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Karbowski, Liberty Pest Control, Ed and Sandy Pickett, SE Texas AC and Heating, Bill Buchanan, and Rodgers Pharmacy; and Friend Sponsors – Prosperity Bank and Margaret Gardzina.
All photos were taken by Nick Dennis Photography.
Does this reduce our school taxes, like the lottery was going to do??
Taxes are never reduced