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Date: 10/16/2019
WILBRAHAM – Don your finest for a night of socializing and fundraising on Oct. 26 for the Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust’s (W.H.A.T.) Second Annual Fall Gala.
The trust provides grants to educators in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) to fund “experiences that are beyond the budget,” said Tina Kowalski, president of the Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust.
The gala is a cocktail party with hors d’oeurvres and serving stations at the Country Club of Wilbraham from 6:30 to 11 p.m. The night will include music and dancing, a silent auction and highlights of past grant awards.
“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” Kowalski said, “We also do a smaller spring fundraiser with other groups from town. This past year we hosted the Peach Festival Pre-Game Party.”
The organization’s stated mission is to provide “community-funded grants to educators in order to support creative academic opportunities for our students which go beyond those of traditional school budgets.”
W.H.A.T. was created in 2003 but fizzled out shortly afterward, said Kowalski. The organization reformed and has been active for four years.
“I have a passion for seeking ways to improve the educational experience of all students in the HWRSD. This is my third year as president and I have a wonderful team of involved community members who work hard to make this happen. We hope to make a lasting impact on the education that will last long after our involvement with the organization,” said Kowolski.
Kowalski said that last year, the trust gave away close to $20,000 in grants to educators in the HWRSD. She said the organization is hoping to raise about $40,000 at this year’s gala.
“Within the last year we’ve been raising big money,” Kowalski said. W.H.A.T. has awarded $150,000 in grants to educators in the district since 2003.
Teachers, principals, curriculum coordinators, and most other educators are eligible for grants. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to submit any grant that will enhance the educational experience of the students of the HWRSD.
“Some of our past grants include robotics at Wilbraham Middle School, Soule Road School, Stony Hill and Green Meadows, speakers in all schools, collaborative grant for technology upgrade in the Information Resource Center at Minnechaug, supplies to support math curriculum in Grades K-2, and supplies to enrich the physical education curriculum in Grades K-5,” Kowalski said. She said the trust makes sure to spread the funding around to all the schools.
More information about the trust and the gala can be found at www.whatfund.org.