Gillespie's "For the Love of Education" Trivia Night supports CUSD No. 7

On Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 in Gillespie, the winners at the “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night were: First place, Team Saracco; Second place, Tom Whitlow's Team; and Third place, was awarded to the Barrett Family Team.

Both the winning teams of Tom Whitlow and the Barret Family donated their winnings back to The Partnership.

All proceeds from the lively evening will go to the Community Unit School District No. 7's (CUSD7) pre-K through twelvth grade classrooms or for academic scholarships for Gillespie High School (GHS) graduates.

“Since 1992 The Partnership has given more than $1 million of donors’ funds to the students of CUSD7,” notes Nancy Grandone, The Partnership’s founder and first president.

Nancy, still an active volunteer director, says “I never envisioned such consistent, community-wide generosity and support when we first gathered to talk about improving educational opportunities for our children. Thank you, all.”

Programs within the districts three schools have always been the top priority. Most recently, The Partnership presented the second $30,000 installment of a three-year $90,000 commitment to help update students’ computers.

In addition, 22 percent of the GHS Class of 2023 received $1,000 tuition scholarships to support post-secondary career preparation.

Partnership president John Fassero, Jr., notes that “Every dollar of our $1 million in grants and scholarships has come from individuals, businesses, professionals, and foundations, the vast majority of them local,” said Fassero. “Most donations come as $10 to $20 gifts. For that we thank all our supporters over the past 32 years for letting us invest their hard-earned money in our children, our future.”

The gratitude and support of CUSD No. 7 was evident in the many school district trivia players, from Superintendent Shane Owsley, to GHS student volunteers, and to current and retired teachers and staff.

The evening also kicked off The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle. An early-bird raffle drawing awarded $100 each to two attendees: Tom Whitlow of Gillespie and Penny Grosenheider of Litchfield. Grosenheider donated her winnings back to The Partnership and the gesture is much appreciated.

Their tickets are still eligible to win the grand prize.

They can be purchased from any Partnership volunteer director: Rosie Emmenderfer; John Fassero, Jr .; Nancy Grandone; Mary Griffel; Donna Prevedell; Katie Ronald; Ann-Marie Bauer Ross; Carole Scheller; Susan Stromsland; Ken Tebbe; Rose Marie Tebbe; or Julie Zirkelbach.

One may also contact The Partnership’s website ([email protected]) to buy tickets. Only 500 tickets at $20 each will be sold and the drawing will be Saturday, March 30, 2024.

The Partnership is an IRS-chartered 501(c)3, all volunteer, not-for-profit educational foundation. For more information or to donate: http://www.thepartnership7.org.