This past weekend, 500 people attended the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Athletics and Activities Fundraising Gala in Louisville, Kentucky to raise money for high school athletics and honor the student-athletes.
Forty-six students from all 23 high schools were honored at the gala. They received awards for “Overcoming Barriers” and being the “MVP” of their teams. Besides honoring student-athletes, the gala also aimed to remove the financial barrier for low-income students and put all student-athletes on the same playing field.
“The fundraiser will give back to all student-athletes to get things like sports equipment and scholarship opportunities,” said April Brooks, the athletic director for JCPS.
The gala tickets were $75 and the school district was hoping to raise $100,000 for the athletic programs and student-athletes. They also accepted donations online for those who could not attend the gala in person. Fundraisers like the gala are essential to JCPS schools that, according to WLKY, “don’t have the funding to have adequate resources.”
There were packed tables and a decorated stage at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville. Families, students and community supporters of high school athletics filled up the center for three hours on the evening of July 27.
“I’m so excited to be able to support the student leadership programs. We will be able to take them on college tours and field trips. Being able to provide scholarships for kids so that they can make their dreams come true,” said Brooks in a recorded interview.
Early numbers indicated the school district had reached at least $50,000, but official fundraising totals have not yet been released.
Students nick-named the gala the “Sneaker Ball” and encouraged all attendees to wear their best kicks. They arrived dressed in formal evening wear, but with the most comfortable and snazzy-looking athletic shoes.
