The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation is celebrating its $1 million milestone this year in a special way: with talent! 

The foundation, which supports the more than 18,000 students of Valley View School District 365-U in Bolingbrook and Romeoville, is hosting its annual dinner and auctions on Friday, March 16 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

The event's theme changes every year. This year, for the first time, the event will feature performances by alumni, district staff and other community members as part of a “Valley View’s Got Talent” theme. 

The annual event is the major fundraising initiative for the foundation. Since 1994, the organization has awarded funds more than $1 million to 675 grant programs designed by teachers, administrators, parents and others. The programs go above and beyond the curriculum required by the district. In some cases, the programs have influenced adoption of curriculum piloted through Foundation-funded programs.

A call went out to the community in January for people willing to showcase their talents at the event. Organizers say the responses have been good and the evening schedule is being planned. 

“The responses have been great and we think the performers represent a great cross-section of entertainment,” VVEEF President Mike Lawler said. 

Over, the years, guest at school theatrical and music events have enjoyed amazing performances by students. Some of those former students are now teachers or are raising their own families now. 

“It’s nice that they are willing to get back on stage and help us raise some much-needed money,” Lawler said.  According to Lawler, rumor has it that there is an alumna who is a Billboard Hot 100 artist, and the search is on to find her. 

Anyone interested in performing can contact the foundation by visiting www.vveef.org and clicking on “Contact Us” by March 1.

Along with the entertainment, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on auction items provided by schools, area businesses and individuals. 

For tickets, visit www.vveef.org. Dinner reservations can be made by clicking Events and Annual Dinner and Auctions. 

For those who can’t attend, donations can be made online at the same website by clicking on the Donate button. Donations can also be mailed to VVEEF, PO Box 1608, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. 

About VVEEF grants

Grant applications are reviewed by a panel of anonymous judges and scored against criteria provided by the foundation board. The grant application deadline for the upcoming year closed Feb. 1. 

Each year, judges complete their scoring and, based upon the financial results of the annual dinner, the foundation board sets their grant funding levels. 

“We are inspired by the efforts made by grant applicants each year,” Lawler said, “and wish we could fund every program.” 

Programs cover all academic areas including math, reading, languages, science, music, amongst others, and also support activities outside the classroom such as theatre and community service efforts. Each program must have an educational component. 

 The identity of the grant applicants and school is not known to the judges or the board until the end of the process. 

“The blind selection process has worked well for us over the years and has enabled objective selection based upon our criteria,” Lawler said. 

This years, approximately 70 grant applications were received requesting nearly $90,000, directly impacting the educational experience of over 43,000 students across all programs.

“We don’t know of any local effort that affects so many lives and, in these times of educational challenges, these programs help students get excited and actively involved in school activities,” said Lawler.