The Upper Arlington Education Foundation's fourth annual Golden Bear Bash looks to be bigger and better than ever.
Foundation president Joanie Dugger said not much is changing this year, but she hopes to have more guests and more auction items at this year's event, slated for Sunday, Sept. 5.
"We are celebrating 25 years of the education foundation this year," she said. "It's our 25th year, and we are very excited."
The bash, which is open to all community members and supporters of the school district, once again will be held at the Arlington Banquet center on Henderson Road.
"We like to call it an end-of-summer party where members from the community, whether you are a parent, a graduate or whether you have children in the system, come to the party and celebrate great education," she said. "We are all taxpayers in the community, and we are very proud of the school district."
Dugger said the evening will feature dinner, dancing, a cash bar and live and silent auctions.
"We are very excited about the number of organizations and businesses that have come forward this year and that have given even more than last year," Dugger said of the auctions.
The auctions will feature jewelry, a landscaping company's services and other practical items, she said.
"We have terrific members of the community who are helping us underwrite the event."
She said her committee is still looking for individuals and companies to donate to the auctions.
Tickets for this year's event cost $50, which includes dinner and admission to the event.
Dugger said tickets can be purchased on the foundation's website, www.upperarlingtoneducationfoundation.com. Downloadable registration forms also can be found on the website.
She said she expects close to 400 people to attend this year's Golden Bear Bash.
She also hopes to break a fundraising record. Last year, the event raised about $60,000.
"We haven't put a number out there, but we are certainly on target to exceed last year," she said. "The more we raise, the more we can turn around and put it back into the schools."
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation has close to 40 funds designated for different programs for UA students and teachers.
The money raised for the Golden Bear Bash goes into the foundation's general endowment fund, which is used from grants that do not fall into one of the 40 categories, Dugger said.
"Just like any budget, there are things that are beyond the school district's means, so we are there to provide that money for projects, grants and programs that students and staff bring to us and say, 'We would like to jump on this.' É The money that we raise from the Bash goes to the unrestricted fund, so that when a grant request comes in, we have a pool of resources to use."
Dugger said she is looking forward to a great evening.
"We are hoping for a great evening of dancing and fun with your neighbors," she said.
gmartineau@thisweeknews.com
