A big boost for education
POST FALLS - The Post Falls Education Foundation's 19th annual Wine, Stein and Dine fundraiser for classroom projects raised more than $45,000 during the event at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.
Proceeds will go toward grant requests submitted by teachers of all grade levels throughout the Post Falls School District.
The foundation board offers the opportunity for teachers to apply for grant money to be used for creative and innovative classroom materials that reach beyond budget capabilities. Recognizing that students have many different learning styles, teachers can improve their students' opportunities to learn by providing equipment, books and other tools to enhance learning in the classroom. The board will be reviewing and selecting grant recipients in April.
During the past 18 years, the foundation has awarded more than $465,000 to the classrooms.
Each year, wineries, microbreweries and restaurants donate their time, beverages and food to attract 450 attendees.
The major benefactor sponsor this year was Columbia Bank, grand sponsor Mountain West Bank, wine tree sponsor Washington Trust Bank, followed by sponsorships from Idaho Forest Group, Avista, Knudtsen Chevrolet, Sentry Dynamics, STCU, the Schneidmiller family, Post Falls Lions Club, Jim and Cyndie Hammond, physician Warren Keene, Fox Trailers, the Coeur d'Alene Press, Salesforce.com Foundation and the Greyhound Park and Event Center.
Restaurants that participated were Big Bear Deli, Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Cakes by Tiana, O'Shay's Irish Pub and Eatery, Ekness Catering, G.W. Hunters, Texas Roadhouse, Nate's New York Pizza, Uva Trattoria, and The White House Grill, in addition to donations from the Post Falls School District Food Nutrition Program, Super 1, Trading Co. stores, Domino's, Pizza Hut and Sahara Pizza.
Centennial Distributing, Odom Corporation, Summit Cider Co., Selkirk Abbey Brewing and Vehr's Inc. provided more than 150 different varieties of wines, microbrews and hard ciders. More than 100 business and individual donors contributed to the silent auction, and a crew of dozens of volunteers who return each year helped add to the event's success.