BETHLEHEM, PA – The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District hosted its 20th Anniversary Dinner on Tuesday, March 19th at Sands Event Center, raising over $48,000 in net proceeds to support their mission – to enhance the learning opportunities for all students of the Bethlehem Area School District.
Over 450 guests enjoyed interactive student expos, student musical performances, dynamic décor, placing bids on Silent Auction items, the newly added Giving Wall and a friendly game of “Are You Smarter than a BASD 5th Grader?” trivia game. Arriving to the dinner, guests were greeted outside by Freedom High School’s Fife and Drummers and Liberty High School’s Bagpipers and Fanfare Trumpeters. Led by students from Freemansburg and Calypso elementary schools, guests experienced the Portable Green Screen Student Expo presenting them with the opportunity to participate in a congratulatory video. Over dinner musical entertainment was provided by Freedom High School Jazz Band. With over 50 Silent Auction packages, guests enjoyed competing for winning bids on assorted items including student artwork, sports packages, food packages and more. The energy of the event was elevated when a flash mob of over 125 Liberty High School students broke out during the speech of Jessica Moyer, President of The Foundation. To end the evening, each table grouped together to compete for the bragging rights to claim they are indeed “Smarter than a BASD 5th Grader”!
“The Foundation has been supporting students of the Bethlehem Area School District since 1999. With over 20 years in operation, The Foundation has a great deal to celebrate. In 1999, The Foundation contributed $3,000 towards program support. This past year, it contributed over $186,000 enhancing learning opportunities for the students of BASD. Thanks to The Foundation’s dedicated trustees, volunteers, teachers, students, and community supporters, we celebrated our accomplishments while raising a remarkable amount of money,” said Julie Bailey, Executive Director of The Foundation.
All proceeds of the 20th Anniversary Dinner will be used towards Teacher Innovation Grants, Service Learning Grants, Curriculum Based Field Trips, Project Lead the Way – Engineering Program, Project Lead the Way – Biomedical Science Program, Farm to School Program, and the Our Leaders of Tomorrow Fund.
Created to strengthen, enhance and enrich the educational experiences of the students of the Bethlehem Area School District, The Foundation was established in 1999. It is governed by a volunteer board of trustees, composed of business and community leaders who lend expertise to the operations of the organization. The Foundation’s focus has been helping educators deliver innovative teaching to students inside and outside the classroom. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Foundation raises funds through tax-deductible contributions to promote innovative educational programs that enhance the existing curriculum of Bethlehem Area School District.
Information provided to TVL by:
Barbara Clymer
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools
Bethlehem Area School District
1516 Sycamore Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017
