A Night for Northville!
Annual NEF gala raises important funding for Northville Schools By Lonnie Huhman
T
he bets made at this year’s Night for Northville event will all be good ones. That’s because the event’s theme this year will be “Casino Night: Betting on our Students.” The Northville Educational Foundation (NEF) is hosting its 9th Annual Night for Northville Gala on Saturday, March 14, from 6:30-11 p.m. at Meadowbrook Country Club. The event will be presented by DTE - MIGreenSaves. The NEF bills the annual gala as “the premier event for the entire district to raise funds for the many programs NEF
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supports in all 10 of Northville’s schools.” The NEF funds innovative teaching grants, social and emotional learning programs, the annual STEAM Fair, Parent Camp, student financial assistance, Project Lead the Way, and much more. “Our Night for Northville event will feature a casino, entertainment from our own Northville High School Treblemakers and Backbeat, amazing food, a wine pull, auction and so much more,” said Marissa Edwards, chair of Night for Northville and a Northville parent. “It’s not just a fabulous and fun night out with friends, it’s
also a great way to make an important contribution towards our kids’ educations and futures. One hundred percent of the money we raise will be used to impact every student and teacher in our community,” Edwards continued. Past programs and initiatives that the NEF said it has helped fund includes the International Baccalaureate Program, Leader in Me, the turf for the NHS football field, and the Applied Engineering – Village Workshop Co-op, just to name a few. There’s also another special reason to celebrate on this wonderful evening. This year
marks the 20th anniversary of supporting Northville students, teachers and schools for the NEF. Over the past two decades, the independent 501(c)3 organization has set about with the mission to foster and enhance educational opportunities and academic excellence for all students by providing aspirational funding beyond the Northville Public School District’s resources. During that time, NEF has raised and granted more than $2.5 million to Northville Public Schools. It’s hoping to raise more than $40,000 through this year’s Night for Northville Gala, one of its most important fundraisers. “Because Northville is a comfortable community, most people assume that our schools are well funded,” said NEF Director Christa Howley. “The truth is that our per-pupil, state allocated funding is less than Farmington, Novi, Trenton and Romulus. The NEF exists to help to fill the gaps.” To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.SupportNEF.org. The NEF is still seeking event sponsors and donors for their silent auction. If your organization is interested, please contact Christa or Kate at (248) 344-3503.
