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Photos of this event - click here
While a bit of slight-of-hand was added to the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter’s annual President’s Dinner November 9 at the Confluence Park Restaurant, the real magic will come in December when the 278 students at East Pilgrim Elementary tear into presents the evening’s largess provided.
The multi-fold event—to recognize the past president, have a great time, and raise funds to support the chapter’s community service projects—was another overwhelming success.
Not only did IFMA members and guests come out in some of their best attire to feast and fraternize, they helped raise $3,275 that will be put to excellent use this holiday season for those in need.
Add to this amount $1,000 from the Citizen-Journal Adopt-A-Family Fund, and the chapter’s Community Service Committee will have at least $4,275 with which to fill “goodie bags” for the kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students and to support other chapter selected groups in 2008.
The Community Service Committee, co-chaired by Steven Niswonger and Christine Robertson, had promised the goodie bags to the faculty at Pilgrim Elementary when they presented the school with a $4,400 check October 29. That money is being used in connection with the school’s LACES (Literacy Across Columbus Elementary Schools) program.
The LACES program is devoted to improving reading at the elementary level. It involves students in a variety of literacy instruction based on phonics and phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension and communication.
When this presentation was made, East Pilgrim Principal Carol Wheat requested goodie bags for all students for the holidays. She suggested these bags include such things as pajamas, belts, socks, personal hygiene items, and books.
In adopting the school, the chapter is moving away from its original holiday association of assisting families through its Adopt-a-Family program. According to Niswonger and Robertson, the committee felt it could make a greater community impact by working with schools rather than with a few families.
The evening’s prestidigitation was provided by Michael Kent, who identifies himself as a “Comic, Magician, Smart@$$!” No one would probably dispute this description as Kent proved to be all three while providing excellent entertainment during the evening.
Chapter President Sandy Stayrook recognized past President Justin Murphy for the outstanding leadership he provided the chapter in 2007-2008. She also thanked the chapter’s sponsors “who give so generously to the chapter,” and presented the Gold and Platinum sponsors with framed certificates, plaques, and date plates for plaques they received in previous years.
Stayrook engaged professional auctioneer Nicholas Bouillon to conduct the sale of five special items. These, their donors, and winners are:
Raffled items, their donors, and winners are: