Waukee Community Schools Foundation

Have we mentioned how much we love partnerships?!

A heartfelt shoutout to Ellipsis, a massive player in the positive youth development space in the Des Moines Metro, for sharing resources with us.

Ellipsis received a donation larger than their needs, which included period packs and multiple boxes of period products. They called us and we immediately got the items packed up and delivered to our schools.

Every school in our district received multiple boxes of period products to support students as needed. Plus, our two high schools received dozens of pre-packed period packs to support students longer term.

There is enough to go around and we are thankful to be in a community of so many givers and helpers. Let’s keep doing big things for students and educators!

Please help us thank Lush Family Dental and several of their dental partners for their support! They donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to refill all of the hygiene kits we keep stocked in every school! Plus, we have supplies to give away at the upcoming Family Resource Fair hosted by Waukee Community School District.

Not only do they provide in-kind resources, Lush Family Dental supported our Financial Hardship Fund this past year. We spent nearly $15,000 in critical and immediate support for students during the 23-24 school year and the average single financial hardship expense was $45, so Lush’s support covered a lot of needs!

Thank you for being such an incredible community partner!

We. Love. Partnerships.

A team of students and volunteers loaded up 90 cases of kids books from Half Price Books into Waukee Area Christian Services’ van yesterday!

We all have the same vision: Get books into the homes and hands of kids this summer.

- The Foundation had the connection with Half Price Books…
- Half Price Books had a ton of books to give away…
- WACS had the right vehicle and has multiple touch points with kids and families over the summer…
- Waukee Schools already has the books they need for their Picnic ‘n Play summer program…

Each partner brought value and now kids get books! We love this community, these collaborations, and the collective efforts to do good… together. Happy reading!

We love seeing the Waukee Community School District’s staff and educators win!

Congrats to the ELITE EYE CARE-sponsored team of District staff who took home the gold this year! The team at Elite Eye Care couldn’t join us, so they donated a team to district staff… and they won the tournament! Thank you Dr. Huisman for always supporting our staff!

They took home an iPad and television donated by Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet, a lawn mower donated by AE Outdoor Power, and concert tickets to Vibrant Music Hall!

Congrats to all of our winners today and a huge thank you to our many prize donors!

What an incredible day for golf!

Thank you to Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet for showing up big as this year’s presenting sponsor.

DLR Group and Access Systems, Inc. were on the course with us and always a big part of our work and impact. Thank you!

We are so thankful to the many sponsors, teams, and volunteers who made this year’s event a record year! We cannot wait to pass along the impact to students, educators, and district staff!

Let’s keep doing big things for students and educators!

The Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the Foundation is next week! We still have a couple foursomes available and would love to see you on the course!

Register your team at: wcsfgolf24.givesmart.com

- Need a new lawn mower? Thanks to AE Outdoor Power you could take home one of two lawn mowers!
- Want to see Smashing Pumpkins perform? Thanks to Vibrant Music Hall, we've got tickets to give away! (More of a Maren Morris fan? We're giving away those tickets, too!)
- Need a new iPad or a 50" television? Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet is not only our presenting sponsor, but has provided a few of these incredible prizes!
- Hy-Vee put together a $150 meat bundle and three other incredible packages for all of your summer cookouts!
- Need new Weather Tech mats for your vehicle? Stivers Ford Lincoln is providing complete sets to BOTH the men's and women's longest drive winners!

Over $3,000 in prizes will be given away at the tournament! Every team member of the first and second flight winning teams will get their pick of the prizes! Plus, prizes for both the men's and women's longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin events!

Even after all of those prizes, we still have several items to be given away! We'll see you on June 5!

We tee off our 2024 Annual Golf Outing in one week! Thank you to all of our event sponsors for making this tournament possible with special thanks to Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet, this year's presenting sponsor. We still have a couple foursomes available and right now the forecast for June 5 is 79 degrees and sunny!

Go to our event website: wcsfgolf24.givesmart.com to register your team.

Bonus: Over $3,000 in prizes will be awarded to our first and second flight winners, men's and women's longest drives, longest putt, closest to the pin, and fun giveaways!

Please help us congratulate Deidre Williams, one of the Foundation's board members, on her recognition as a 2024 Women of Influence by the Des Moines Business Record! Deidre serves as the Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness at EMC Insurance and supports our board as the current Secretary and incoming Vice President.

We celebrate Deidre and the many ways she makes our organization and community better. A much-deserved award! Congrats, Deidre!

Good news! Catch Des Moines gave us four Principal Charity Classic tickets to give away to one lucky golfer who registers for our 2024 Golf Tournament by 5:00pm on Friday, May 24.

Register for the 2024 Golf Tournament happening on June 5 at A.H. Blank Golf Course at: wcsfgolf24.givesmart.com

Ticket voucher information will be emailed to the recipient the evening of May 24. Principal Charity Classic tickets include four general admission tickets for one day, your choice, May 31 - June 2.

WCSF Golf 2024 Help Waukee Community Schools Foundation spread the word about 2024 Annual Golf Tournament!

Come golf with us!

The 2024 Annual Golf outing, presented by Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet, is coming up on Wednesday, June 5! Sponsorships and foursomes are still available! Check out the event website: [email protected] for more information.

Good news: The CO2 ball launcher is back this year!

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Foundation Scholarship recipients!

Seniors are nominated by Waukee Community School District staff and educators for the ways they have positively impacted their schools and community. All nominees are interviewed by a panel of Foundation board members and volunteers, identifying students actively changing the world for the better. Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary endeavors, including two- and four-year degrees, vocational and technical programs, entrepreneurship programs, and/or workforce readiness programs.

Adrian V.
Alex P.
Caleb B.
Enna N.
Filiz S.
Kiran K.
Lily S.
Macy C.
Olivia W.
Sadie G.

Note: Not all recipients opted to share their photos--we celebrate their achievement all the same!

Adrianne here! I am extremely grateful for the support shown to the organization and to me personally as we've announced my resignation. This community is amazing and it's been an honor serving all of you. I can't think of a less-cliché way to say that, but I mean it from the depths of my being.

This role has been deeply fulfilling. The job is meaningful, the impact is real, and the District is a true partner in our collective efforts to serve students and educators. The Board of Directors have cared for me as a person and a professional from my first day. The Board is unrelenting in their desire to dream and vision big, strategize thoughtfully, utilize resources with wisdom and innovation, and do work that matters--really matters. This job really is a dream.

We're excited to see who takes the reins of this organization, elevate us to new heights, and continue this great story. We recognize that including information on the compensation package within the job description is important as people think through significant decisions like pursuing a new job. So we've updated the job description on our website to reflect this information.

www.waukeeschoolsfoundation.org

We are committed to finding the best leader for our next chapter. The people we serve deserve it. Thank you for helping us spread the word.

Please help us welcome our newest board member, Jeff Opsal!

Jeff is a Vice President with Bankers Trust and will join our board's Finance Committee as we continue to grow in our financial complexity and evolve our financial strategy for long-term sustainability.

When asked about his interest and excitement in the Foundation, Jeff said, "I’m excited and honored to be joining the board of such an amazing organization. We have three kids in Waukee schools and our family has been involved in supporting the District for many years in a variety of ways, including through volunteering with the Foundation. Over time I have witnessed the passion and generosity of community members, local businesses, staff, and volunteers coming together through the Foundation to ensure that all Waukee students have the resources to enhance their education and character development, and that teachers are equipped, supported, and celebrated. I’m looking forward to increasing my involvement and impact in the important work of the Foundation as it continues to meet the ever-growing needs of students and teachers in the WCSD community."

Welcome, Jeff! And thank you for your commitment to students and educators!

Organization Announcement!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Waukee Community Schools Foundation, we are saddened to announce that our Executive Director, Adrianne Towe, has resigned from her role. Adrianne will remain with the organization through June 30, 2024, and we will use the time between now and then to identify the Foundation’s next Executive Director.

The Foundation has never been stronger, and we are grateful for Adrianne’s leadership over the last 3.5 years. Adrianne expanded our impact strategy, diversified our funding portfolio, strengthened our name, brand, and trust within the community, and impacted thousands through our deeply rooted partnerships within the Waukee Community School District and beyond. We could not be more energized about what we have built together!

The board jokingly asked Adrianne if she would accept a lifetime contract, and when she declined, we asked where to find another person like her. She responded, “You don’t need another Adrianne Towe. What I have to offer got us here – and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. Now it’s time for someone else with a new and different skillset to take us even farther. The work of the last few years has positioned us to hand off an incredibly healthy organization and I will do everything I can to set the next Director, the organization, and this community up for success in this transition.”

We wish Adrianne success and fulfillment in her next chapter—we’ll be rooting for her!

We are taking applications for the role of Executive Director via the Applications tab on our website, which is also where you'll find the job description. We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until a qualified candidate has accepted the role.

We are so thankful to Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet for being a presenting sponsor of The Impact Gala!

Congratulations on your Impact Award! We would not be who we are without Shottenkirk Chevrolet!

Tonight is the night!

Silent auction bidding will close at approximately 9:00pm. Happy bidding!

Event site: Impactgala.givesmart.com

The Impact Gala is tomorrow night! We are ready for you and cannot wait to share the evening with you!

Whether or not you plan to attend, our Silent Auction is live and available to you! The auction will close approximately 9:00pm on Saturday, February 17. Check out the packages and take note of our many donors--thank them when you visit them in the community!

Planning to attend? Purchase your Golden Ticket for your chance to win a Live Auction item (must be present to win)! That means you could win a signed Taylor Swift platinum album for only $100! Or a signed jersey from your favorite Chiefs player, a Hy-Vee shopping spree, and more!

Raffle tickets and auction items are available at: ImpactGala.givesmart.com

The Impact Gala is tomorrow night! We are ready for you and cannot wait to share the evening with you!

Whether or not you plan to attend, our Silent Auction is live and available to you! The auction will close approximately 9:00pm on Saturday, February 17. Check out the packages and take note of our many donors--thank them when you visit them in the community!

Planning to attend? Purchase your Golden Ticket for your chance to win a Live Auction item (must be present to win)! That means you could win a signed Taylor Swift platinum album for only $100! Or a signed jersey from your favorite Chiefs player, a Hy-Vee shopping spree, and more!

Raffle tickets and auction items are available at: ImpactGala.givesmart.com

The Impact Gala, presented by Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet and your Waukee HyVee, features one of our area's largest silent auctions... And it's officially live!

Check out all of the incredible packages and our many, many donors on the event website: impactgala.givesmart.com!

You do not need to be present at event to bid on or win silent auction items. The auction will close approximately 9:00pm on Saturday, February 17 during the event.

We are so grateful for your support of this year's event and the work we do throughout the year. Happy bidding!

We are so honored that students from Waukee Elementary are helping us get ready for next week’s The Impact Gala! In addition to this piece being on display, we’ve teamed up with student artists from across the District to auction off some of their favorite pieces!

Join us on February 17! We still have a few tickets available at impactgala.givesmart.com.

💡Innovation Spotlight💡
As fourth grade students at Waukee Elementary learn about sustainability, they've partnered with the Waukee Community Schools Foundation to create pieces of sustainable art for the foundation's upcoming Impact Gala on Feb. 17. Mr. Linnet’s class created this piece using spoons from the lunchroom!

Ticket prices for the February 17 Impact Gala increase at midnight tonight! Event tickets are available at impactgala.givesmart.com!

We're so grateful for Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet and your Waukee HyVee, this year's presenting sponsors! We will see you on February 17!

Tickets to the The Impact Gala are on sale now! The silent auction will be available virtually, starting February 10, but you must be present to participate in the Live Auction! This year's Live Auction includes a platinum album signed by Taylor Swift, all expenses paid braces or Invisalign from , a signed Patrick Mahomes jersey, a kid shopping spree at your , and more!

New this year... The Golden Ticket! Enter the Golden Ticket raffle for a chance to win one of the live auction items--your choice!

- Raffle tickets are on sale now through the event website: impactgala.givesmart.com
- Only 150 tickets will be sold
- The drawing will take place on stage at The Impact Gala
- Winner must be present at the event and at time of the drawing to claim prize
- Winner will be asked for their item choice immediately following the drawing

Good luck!

the WCSF Impact Gala Help Waukee Community Schools Foundation spread the word about 2024 Annual Impact Gala!

Please help us welcome our newest board member, Travis Black! Travis is the General Manager at Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet, an incredible community champion, and a huge advocate for our District's educators and students.

We're also thrilled that Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet is one of The Impact Gala's presenting sponsors this year. Shottenkirk's involvement in our work and throughout the community is incredible. Travis: Thank you for your leadership and to your entire team at Shottenkirk for the ways you make our community such a great place to live, work, and go to school!

A huge thank you to Happy Medium -- our graphic design team and Partner Sponsor for this year's Impact Gala! We cannot wait to unveil the event's new look and feel on February 17.

What's The Impact? We cannot wait to show you.

There are still a few tickets available on the event website: ImpactGala.givesmart.com. See you on February 17!

Tickets are on sale now for The Impact Gala, presented by Shottenkirk Waukee Chevrolet, Waukee HyVee, and West Lakes Hy-Vee!

Date: February 17, 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Sheraton West Des Moines
Benefitting: Waukee Community Schools Foundation
Tickets: impactgala.givesmart.com

The Impact Gala will feature live and silent auctions, dinner and drinks, Neon and Iowa Gold beer compliments of Barn Town Brewing (while supplies last), music by Diamond Empire Band, dancing, and a late-night pizza party!