This past Saturday night members of the Education Enhancement Committee at IKM-Manning held the 2nd Annual Gala Event in Manilla. Committee member Jean Stadtlander says the goal is to support local education by building a relationship with community and business partners, and as a sign of their backing over 250 people attended the gala. Sponsorships and ticket sales raised over $40,000, and during the event the silent and live auctions brought in another $13,670 for a total of over $58,000 raised. People are passionate about STEM Education, she says, and for example one IKM-Manning student built a child’s barn (see photo below) specifically for the auction while another item got auctioned off several times that night.
The money raised will be used to enhance STEM education, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, per request by the IKM-Manning School district.
She adds that looking towards the future the skills students gain through STEM education will allow them to compete in a global economy, and that investment is just as important as other community actions.
The committee, Stadtlander says, hopes the investment in students will bring them back to live and grow in an IKM-Manning community following graduation. She emphasizes that it’s due to the partnerships among the school, the committee, and various local entities which makes it all possible. Still short of their $75,000 fundraising goal any interested parties who would like to consider a sponsorship can do so through the end of May in order to be included on the 2016 roster. For more information contact any committee member or the IKM-Manning school district at 712-655-3781.
