The Spirit of 67 Foundation is a non-for-profit organization established in 1985 as a parent volunteer organization. The Mission is to raise funds and acquire resources to provide enriching, educational, and cultural experiences for students that might not otherwise be provided. Every year, dedicated teachers, students and parents of District 67 submit requests for ideas that would enhance the curriculum. Grants touch all academic areas from Language Arts and Science to Wellness and Technology. Rhine commented that "anyone in the community can become a member of the Spirit in order to support education in Lake Forest. Our membership includes District 67 families, business owners, grandparents and community members. Residents interested in becoming members are always encouraged to learn more about us and, hopefully, become part of the Spirit." 

"IT'S IN THE BAG...SUNSET FOODS HELPS LAKE FOREST SCHOOLS": REUSING CLOTH SHOPPING BAGS AT SUNSET FOODS BENEFITS LAKE FOREST SCHOOL CHILDREN appeared in TribLocal (online), The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch, (this article was just sent to news outlets--may possibly appear in print (Lake Forester and TribLocal) as well as in Gazebo News).
 
The simple act of bringing reusable cloth shopping bags to Lake Forest Sunset Foods, to be used in bagging your groceries, will help school children in both Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115. That's right...something that helps the environment also helps support the local schools and it's all so very easy.

"For every cloth bag that is reused for bagging groceries, Sunset Foods will donate 5 cents to Lake Forest schools," says Bill Tarpey, Manager, Lake Forest Sunset Foods. "It's part of our "Nickels for Nature" Program that has been implemented in other communities where Sunset Foods is located. We are very happy to team up with Lake Forest's Spirit of 67 Foundation (District 67) and District 115's Lake Forest High School Foundation to benefit Lake Forest school children." 

Anyone can participate in the program; all that is needed are the reusable cloth bags from any store. Every time a customer uses a reusable bag at the Lake Forest Sunset store, a nickel will be donated to the Lake Forest School Districts' Foundations, the fundraising organizations of the two districts. 

Whether you're planning a Super Bowl party this winter or a pool party this summer, consider using your reusable bags at Sunset Foods any time of the year to bring home everything you need. Every time you use your cloth bags, you'll be helping both the environment and education.

Community support is one of the primary reasons the Spirit of 67 is able to do what we do. Without the support of the community and local retailers such as Sunset Foods, we would not be able to provide the high level of annual curriculum enhancement that we do." 

In September 2010, the Spirit of 67 Foundation partnered with seventeen local retailers to kick off their "Shop With Spirit" program.

Seventeen local merchants teamed up with the Spirit of 67 to provide benefits to Spirit members who have enrolled as members at the 'Friend' ($150 or above) Level and receive a "Shop With Spirit" card. The card provides card holders with everything from discounts on selected items to overall savings on purchases made with the Spirit of 67 Retail Partners. In addition, Spirit members receive benefits within the Spirit of 67 including discounted ticket prices for events. 

SPIRIT OF 67 SAYS THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY, appeared in TribLocal online and The Patch.com.

The Spirit of 67 Foundation would like to extend a sincere 'Thank You' to the District 67 community for their generosity and support during the Foundation's "YOU are the Spirit" Membership Week (October 18-22). "During our Membership Week, we reach out to the community to let them know the purpose and mission of Spirit of 67 and we look for feedback from the community, as well," said Fronzie Roemer and Megan Morris, Membership Co-Chairs. "We received a warm reception from families and businesses within our school community," said Roemer. To this Morris adds, "Our membership is now right around 40% of district families participating in the Spirit. There are so many benefits to membership, including knowing that contributions to the Spirit go to enhance education in our schools. We wanted to thank the community for their support this past week and continued support throughout the year."

Each year, the Spirit of 67 hosts a "YOU are the Spirit" Membership Week that includes outreach to both the District 67 school community and to the community at large. "We do this in a number of ways including phoning District 67 families, hosting events in our schools, direct mail pieces such as our Annual Report and Fall Brochure as well as emails," says Roemer. Through this process, the Spirit encourages District 67 residents to become members of the Spirit and, thus, a part of enhancing education for students in the district. Anyone can become a member of the Spirit and at any contribution amount.

The funds raised during Membership Week, and all year long, go toward supporting the Spirit's overall mission which is to enhance education. Last year, the Spirit awarded $253,000 in grants to help enhance the District 67 curriculum. According to the Spirit of 67's manifesto, their mission is to "provide enriching, educational and cultural experiences for the students, parents, faculty and staff of Lake Forest School District 67 that might not otherwise be provided."

"We are so pleased that this year's membership is a significant percentage of our entire District 67 community. It's really more about being a part of the Foundation and less about the level of sponsorship--seeing more families involved in the process of what Spirit of 67 does is the best part of our Membership Week. We welcome all Lake Forest residents to join us in providing enhanced learning for our young people," noted Sandra Rhine, President, Spirit of 67 Foundation.

"YOU are the Spirit" Membership Week culminates with a Fall Luncheon and Auction. On Friday, October 22nd, the Spirit Board invited District 67 families, residents, and Spirit members to celebrate education at a three course luncheon and auction. Over 220 tickets were sold for this year's luncheon. Stephanie Cook, Fundraising Director, notes that, "Getting together with members of our community at our Annual Luncheon is a great way to celebrate the ongoing work the Spirit does and the efforts of our members and supporters."
Membership to the Spirit of 67 is encouraged during Membership Week as there are raffles and awards for newly enrolled members. However, new members can enroll at anytime.

'SHOP WITH SPIRIT' ENHANCES EDUCATION THANKS TO HELP FROM LAKE FOREST RETAILERS, appeared in TribLocal online, The Patch.com, and The Lake Forester.

Education and community support have always gone hand in hand in Lake Forest and the 2010 school year is no exception. In fact, the bond between the community and the schools is even stronger this year with the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce and the Spirit of 67 Foundation providing a new program to benefit Lake Forest residents and families. This year, the Spirit of 67 Foundation is teaming up with Lake Forest retailers to offer the "Shop With Spirit" Card. The "Spirit Card" is available to anyone interested in supporting Lake Forest's children and businesses. "We are very fortunate to live in a community like Lake Forest where our local retailers show how they value education with their donations of goods and services, as well as support, for our events throughout the year," commented Sandra Rhine, President, Spirit of 67 Foundation [Spirit]. "The Spirit is very excited to offer this benefit to our members all the while supporting our local businesses which do so much for education throughout the year."

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce President, Joanna Rolek, explains the new partnership. "The 'Shop With Spirit' Card is really about the Lake Forest community as a whole. Members of the Spirit want to enhance children's education by supporting the Foundation with their gifts. The 'Spirit Card' is an extension of that support. Shopping locally with the card supports our Lake Forest retailers, who, in turn, discount many of their products and services for Spirit members. Everybody wins with a program like the 'Spirit Card'."

Local retailers are happy to help support youth education in Lake Forest. Says Jay Shlifka, owner of Kiddle's Sporting Goods and 'Spirit Card' retailer participating in this inaugural program, "Kiddle's is proud to be part of this new partnership with the Spirit of 67. We love this community and we are very happy that we are able to give something back to the young people and their families." Kiddle's is one of seventeen particpating retailers offering discounts to Spirit Members who have the 'Spirit Card' when they shop. Additional participating retailers include: Robek's, Caputo's Cheese Market, Helander's, Izze & Jo, Lake Forest Car Spa, Lake Forest Shop, Gerhard's Desserts, Grille on Laurel, Lake Forest Bookstore, Frame Forum, Forest Bootery, Food Love Catering, EJ Mirage, Einstein's Brothers Bagels, Chief's Pub and Arabesque Dance Studio.

"Anyone can become a member of the Spirit of 67 Foundation and enjoy the benefits of the 'Spirit Card,'" notes Rhine. "Many of our members have children in the K-8 school system, but other members contribute to the Foundation for other reasons. They may have had children progress through the schools and want to give back or they simply want to see a strong school system in the community in which they work and live." Rhine encourages District 67 residents and families to consider joining the Spirit of 67 Foundation and taking advantage of this great partnership with local businesses. "It's great to receive a discount when getting your car washed at the Lake Forest Car Spa or a discount on a shoe purchase at the Forest Bootery." Rolek adds, "We have a variety of businesses participating in the program and there truly is something for everyone."
The Spirit of 67 Foundation offers membership, at all levels, to residents and families. Membership at the $150 level and above qualifies a family to receive the 'Spirit Card' and to start saving on purchases at participating retailers. Enhancing education in District 67 is what the Spirit of 67 is all about and the Foundation encourages residents to consider joining the Spirit to support every student in every school, every day.
Interested in becoming a Spirit of 67 member? Are you a business who'd like to partner with the Spirit of 67 Foundation in the new program?

LAKE FOREST'S SPIRIT OF 67 FALL LUNCHEON AND AUCTION BENEFITS CHILDREN AND EDUCATION, appeared in TribLocal online and Events Calendar in print version, Gazebo News and The Lake Forester.

On Friday, October 22, 2010, the Spirit of 67 Foundation [Spirit] will be hosting their 4th Annual Benefit Luncheon and Auction [Fall Luncheon] at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park, Illinois. "The annual luncheon is an opportunity for friends of District 67 to celebrate the "Centerpieces of Education"...our children and their education," says Fall Luncheon Co-Chair, Ann Franzese, "and it is one of the largest fundraisers for Lake Forest's middle and elementary schools."

"The afternoon has become a tradition with our District 67 families, faculty, administrators and all of our Spirit supporters. We anticipate this year's event to be sold out as in years past, so we encourage everyone to purchase their tickets early," advises Robin Norkus, Reservation Coordinator for the event. Tickets for the luncheon may be purchased on the Spirit's website or by visiting the website and downloading an order form to be mailed in. Ms. Norkus also notes that the Spirit mails Fall Luncheon invitations and ticket information to Spirit members and families in District 67. Says Norkus, "The Annual Fall Luncheon is the culmination and celebration of the Spirit's 'YOU Are the Spirit' Week. It's a way to celebrate community in Lake Forest." Spirit of 67 Foundation President, Sandra Rhine adds, "We encourage both District 67 families and residents in the Lake Forest community to become members of the Spirit in an effort to support the enhancements we provide in the form of grants to our three elementary schools and Deer Path Middle School. 'YOU Are the Spirit' Week is a way for the Spirit to inform Lake Forest residents of the work we do all year long to benefit education in our schools. Our hope is that every Lake Forest resident will become a member of the Spirit and, of course, we'd love to celebrate with them at our Fall Luncheon."

The luncheon begins at 10:30 a.m. and continues through the afternoon with a three course meal, raffle, and silent auction. "As always, we have gracious donors and sponsors who have donated items for the Silent Auction," notes Laureen Grieve, Fall Luncheon Co-Chair.

"This year's auction features extraordinary items such as vacation packages, major league sports tickets, and even a recording session. In addition, we are excited to offer memorable experience packages including a 2011 Family Lighting of the Lake Forest Christmas Tree where the winning bidder's family will represent District 67 at the town's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony next year." All of these terrific items will be available for bid and, ultimately, the funds raised go toward children's education. In addition, the raffle items are as enticing as the silent auction items with an Apple iPad being the featured raffle prize this year.

"This is such a fun event where friends can get together, enjoy a delicious lunch and one another's company as we head into a new school year," remarks Fall Luncheon Co-Chair, Lynne Kennedy. "The luncheon is one of those events that is well on its way to becoming a district tradition."
Fall Luncheon ticket prices are $67, members; $87, non-members, if reservations are mailed in (an additional $3 processing fee is in effect if tickets are purchased online). Ticket packages (with combined seating, raffle, etc.) are also available. To become a member of the Spirt of 67 Foundation and support their work in District 67, click here.

DISTRICT 67 FAMILIES KICK OFF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH A NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK, appeared in TribLocal (online and in print) and The Lake Forester.
 
A picture perfect late summer evening at Miller Park in Milwaukee, on Friday, September 10th, served as the ideal backdrop for the Spirit of 67 Foundation's Fourth Annual Baseball Night and first family event of the new school year. "It's nice to start off the school year, and the Spirit of 67 calendar year, with a family event," commented Sandra Rhine, Spirit of 67 Foundation President. "The children are coming back together for a year of learning and bringing families together for a relaxed evening to reconnect after the summer break is so much fun. The Spirit's Baseball Night is a great way to do that." 

Melanie Thornberry and Rebecca Oline, Event Co-Chairs, agreed, "It was wonderful to see children of all ages attend the baseball game with their families. In attendance were preschool aged children all the way up through high school aged kids. We had a wonderful response from our families for tonight's event and we anticipate 'Baseball Night' to be a family favorite for years to come."

In addition to sponsoring family events such as the Baseball Night, a kick off event to the new school year, the Spririt of 67 Foundation supports children's classroom learning by enhancing their educational experience with programs that are funded by the Spirit's various fundraising efforts throughout the year. The Foundation supports the three Lake Forest elementary schools and Deerpath Middle School with the grant money it awards each May. According to Rhine, there were 31 grants awarded for the 2010-11 school year.

The Foundation's grants support everything from fine arts to literacy programs in the four schools. The Foundation supplements the school curriculum by providing items or programs that are not covered within the district's budget. Some of the grants awarded during the 2010-11 school year include providing NEO2 laptop keyboards to all District 67 3rd and 4th graders, installing interactive dissection software for the science programs, and increasing the book selection within classroom libraries.

Everyone is welcome to become a member or supporter of the Spirit. Says Rhine, "Many of our District 67 families are members of the Spirit and we are extremely grateful for their support. We are also thankful for the financial support we receive from area businesses and residents who may not have children in the district, but care about the quality of education in Lake Forest. We are fortunate to live in a community where everyone 'pitches in' to support education."

This is the fourth Baseball Night that the Spirit has hosted. The last three years, families have taken in a Chicago White Sox game as part of the annual baseball event and, this year, it was the Chicago Cubs versus the Milwaukee Brewers game that families came to the ballpark to enjoy. With an event centered around team spirit, camaraderie and family fun, it's hard to go wrong regardless of the teams playing on the ball diamond.