St. Lawrence School to Host Gala

The St. Lawrence School Foundation will host its 10th Annual Gala Friday, April 29, at Shady Beach Supper Club. The theme will be A Night In Oz.

“Just imagine yourself following the Yellow Brick Road through the Land Of Oz to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. Add fabulous food, new exciting prizes, music, and fun,” said St. Lawrence School Principal Brenda Anderson. “The game room, raffle, and auctions will make you feel you’ve landed somewhere over the rainbow! You may even find the good witch, Glinda.”

Tickets are available until Friday. “Anyone can purchase a ticket to the Gala, even if your child doesn’t attend the school,” stated Susie Wendland committee member. “All supporters of the school are invited to this event which gets bigger and bigger every year. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased by contacting the school,”she added. “Only 150 tickets are available, so get yours before they’re sold out.”

Activities and hors d’oeuvres begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction at 7:30 p.m. Activities include: A Night In Oz raffle, 50/50, Heads or Tails, 1 & 2, The MotherBoard, A Night In Oz Photo Booth, Student Photos, Wall of Money, Candy Bar Raffle, Horse Race, Silent Auction, Themed Baskets, and Chest of Chance. The MotherBoard is already open to purchase a square with a photo of a St. Lawrence student or teacher for $20. “Choose a photo to receive a one-of-a-kind ornament made by a student and be entered to win one of three prizes,” said Gala committee member Carrie Novy. The top prize is one-year tuition to St. Lawrence School. Second prize is a $200 Popper’s Fireworks gift certificate and the third prize is an Air Fryer, donated by John and Sandra Fonder.

“Our goal this year is to raise $40,000,” said Novy. “Half of the money raised each year from the Gala goes directly to the school and the other half is put into the foundation.” “This year we hope to use the money to purchase chromebooks,” said Principal Anderson. The Gala began in 2007 to raise funds for the St. Lawrence School Foundation. The Foundation was established to ensure St. Lawrence School would continue to offer a faith-based education. In the past nine years, the Gala has raised over $336,000.

Many items available on the live auction are items made by the St. Lawrence students. Examples include: the kindergarten nativity scene, first grade quilt, second grade bookcase, third grade toy chest, fourth grade benches, fifth grade cookie jar, sixth grade granite garden plaques, and a framed all-school cross. Josh Wendland and Julie Landmark will be the Emcees for the evening. Enquist Auctioneering, Jeff and Dee Dee Enquist, will lead the live auction.

Committee members plan for the Gala nearly year-round, with a bulk of their hard work taking place from the first of the year until the event. “A special thank you to Jake and Heidi Mullenbach and staff at Shady for all their generosity in providing a beautiful atmosphere and incredible service,” stated the committee members. “As always, thank you to many others who have contributed your time, talents or treasures. When we work together, we can make great things happen.”

“There are also many things that community members can do to support the event without attending the Gala,” explained Novy. A Night In Oz raffle tickets can be purchased right up until the drawing. Winners do not need to be present. Tickets are available for $10 each or three for $20 with three great prizes to be given away. The grand prize is a $2,500 All Points Travel gift certificate or $2,000 in cash which is sponsored by the Friends of the Gala. Second prize is a Dell laptop computer donated by Tim and Kathy Tyler and third prize is $300 cash, donated by Milbank Area Hospital/Avera Health and Twin Valley Tire.