A group of dedicated volunteers has raised more than $155,000 the past seven years for the benefit of students and faculty at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Since 1982, the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Foundation has been finding ways to raise funds.
A group of dedicated volunteers has raised more than $155,000 the past seven years for the benefit of students and faculty at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
Since 1982, the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Foundation has been finding ways to raise funds. Over the past 34 years, the foundation has worked to fill the numerous requests for financial assistance.
The foundation’s major fundraiser for this year is a Sept. 16 golf outing and dinner at Glenwoodie Country Club.
“By supporting the foundation, you are giving money that goes directly to the student organizations, helping to fill the gap for those shortfalls,” said board member Julie Smith.
In the 2015-16 school year, the foundation awarded nearly $35,000 for 10 different programs, according to Mary Lou Coleman, foundation president and executive director. It was the first year the foundation was able to fund each request at 100 percent.
The awards varied, from covering $4,000 in travel expenses for the Steppers Club that won the national title at the National Step Competition to $1,600 for a camera stabilizer for the digital film study class.
The foundation is a free-standing organization. It meets at the high school but it is not directly associated with the school’s administration or its alumni and development department. Serving on the board with Coleman and Smith are Susie Goldberg, Paula Longawa, Jan Valuch, Lauren Galen, Anne Humphrey and Patricia Perl.
Foundation members review each application for funding and vote on the support level. Members are impressed by the student presentations. They’ve had students perform for them, sing for them and appeal to them.
“It really is an honor to serve because you get to learn so much about what’s going on at the high school,” said Smith. “We see kids come in and make these wonderful presentations.”
Several H-F groups regularly receive donations, such as the music department’s yearly trips overseas, but others are special requests or one-time purchases.
For example, the foundation has purchased televisions for the broadcasting department, provided start-up money for the LaCrosse team, purchased skulls and skeletons for the forensic class and this year purchased 30 refurbished film cameras so that H-F could continue the darkroom photography program.
The foundation also handles scholarships created to benefit H-F students that are awarded to seniors in May.
Parents registering their children for the coming school year can make a donation to the foundation on the registration form. Or, purchase an H-F calendar for $15. All proceeds go to fund the needs of the students.
“We’re doing (this work) for the community as well, because the high school is the community,” Coleman said. “If you look at your high school, that’s why people will move here.”
The Sept. 16 golf outing starts with registration at noon. Throughout the round of golf, participants will enjoy fun games at various holes.
The dinner will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Organizers are planning a silent auction and raffle.
Tickets are $60 for the dinner and $130 for golf and the dinner.
All proceeds will help underwrite student programs this coming school year.
For information, visit www.hffoundation.org.