Hermiston Education Foundation fundraiser serves up student support

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 31, 2023

The public is invited to enjoy a surf and turf dinner during the Follow Your Art fundraiser hosted by the Hermiston Education Foundation.

Because of supply demands, the menu has changed and will feature salmon and tri-tip. The event is Saturday, Feb. 4, 5 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston. Tickets are $50 per person. In addition to the meal, the evening will include live/silent auctions, raffles and door prizes. Also, student art will be on display during the event.

HEF board member George Clough said some lucky person will take home a 70-inch Roku TV. In addition, he said there are a number of other items donated by the Walmart Distribution Center.

“They will be given away as door prizes,” he said. “There is no purchase or bidding necessary.”

And Clough said there is an assortment of items that will be available to the highest bidder — in both the silent and live auctions. On the auction block is everything from four Seattle Seahawks tickets and VIP box seats for the 2023 Farm-City Pro Rodeo to pet spay/neuter services and a consultation with an attorney to create a will. In addition, Clough said there will be a variety of themed baskets, gift cards and artwork.

“There are all kinds of smaller stuff,” Clough said. “We are still collecting donations.”

Also, a number of student groups will be on hand to help throughout the evening. From providing table service to acting as auction runners, Clough said their help is crucial.

“They just chip in with all sorts of things that make it go smoothly,” he said.

Education foundation fills the gaps

A nonprofit entity that is separate from the Hermiston School District, the foundation’s mission is to enhance the academic, artistic and cultural learning experiences for students and employees. Clough said money raised from the event helps support the HEF scholarship program as well as providing grants to district staff to supplement educational opportunities.

“It helps provide the little extras that the school district doesn’t fund,” he said.

Clough said since fall 2003, HEF has awarded more than 400 grants to district personnel, totaling more than $400,000. The special funding, he said, has provided such things as percussion instruments at Armand Larive Middle School, books for grade school students to take home, computer technology equipment at Hermiston High School and an opportunity for students to attend professional theater productions.

Since the inception of its scholarship program in 2017, Clough said $135,500 has been awarded to graduating seniors to assist students in furthering their education. And he said the program will expand this year to offer continuing education scholarships for school district classified and teaching staff.

Tickets for the fundraising event are available via bit.ly/3FN2QlP or at the Hermiston School District office, 305 S.W. 11th St. For questions, call 541-667-6000.