The Becker Education Foundation (BEF) presented their first annual Community Recognition Spring Gala last Saturday in conjunction with the Initiative Foundation. Held at Pebble Creek Golf Course, the event was a fundraiser for the organization as well as a way to recognize supportive community members.

 

The Becker Education Foundation, which has been in place for just one year, is a nonprofit community organization that was created to support teachers and students in the Becker School District. Their overall goal is to provide grants to classroom teachers for opportunities the district would not be able to fund.

 

The gala included a dinner and silent auction, which was filled with items donated by board members and local businesses and organizations.

 

The highlight of the evening, however, was the recognition of members of the community who have been supportive of Becker schools.

 

“We wanted to have a fundraiser but have it be more than that,” said BEF Co-President Nathan Ernst. “It was a way to celebrate community members, the heart of the foundation who are passionate about the foundation and the school district.”

 

Nominees for the award were solicited through the community. From the names received, the committee chose three recipients based on the responses from the nomination forms. 

 

Receiving the Outstanding Community Member Award this year were Rob Olson from Becker Baptist Church, Todd and Barb Potter from TJ Potter Trucking, Inc. and Joseph and Stephanie Gruenes from Dr. Stephanie Gruenes Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

 

“These people clearly have had an impact,” said Ernst.

 

The board had posters made up of the award winners to display around town, which helped generate interest in the gala and led people to the organization’s Facebook page.

 

“As this was our first event we didn’t really know what to expect,” said Ernst. “But we were blown out of the water. On Tuesday, we had 40 people signed up and by Saturday we had 80.”

 

The recipients received their awards during the program portion of the evening. The foundation and its mission were explained, after which each of the winners were introduced and their bios read. 

 

Ernst extended a thank you to everyone who attended the recognition gala, and a special thank you to Sherburne State Bank and Liberty Paper for their sponsorship and Pebble Creek Golf Course for hosting the event.

 

The organization plans for the Outstanding Community Recognition Spring Gala to become an annual event. 100% of all proceeds raised by BEF go back to the school district through grants and scholarships. This year they plan to award two grants of at least $500, one in the spring and one in the fall.

 

For more information on BEF, visit their website at beckeredfoundation.org.