The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education (PIE) Foundation raised $276,000, beating the previous year by $2,000, at its 18th annual Shining Stars Gala, held on Feb. 23, 2019.
The Gala is the Foundation’s most significant fundraising event of the year and proceeds are used to enrich, enhance and maximize the quality of education for all students in Round Rock ISD through scholarships, classroom grants, teacher of the year awards and more.
The Gala, themed “An Evening in Paris,” was supported in part by St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center as a Presenting Sponsor with a $30,000 donation, while Dell EMC, was the Gold Sponsor with $15,000. In addition to these sponsorships, Bartlett Cocke served as Silver Sponsor donating $10,000.
“The Partners in Education Foundation is an invaluable partner to Round Rock ISD,” said Superintendent Steve Flores, Ph.D. “They represent the desire to progress public education and provide our students with the best resources possible. The purpose of the Foundation goes beyond raising funds for different programs and grants — it transcends to bringing our community together for the sake of our students, and in reality, our futures.”
This year’s event was hosted at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center and included a silent auction and a live auction sponsored by Dell Children’s Medical Center, a part of Ascension with a donation of $5,000. Guests enjoyed a variety of games and activities including dancing and a casino.
“It was an amazing event with our sponsors being treated to a Paris type Fashion Show by students attending Round Rock High School and Cedar Ridge High School,” said Marianne Reap, PIE Foundation executive director. “We were also very grateful to Jessica Chavez a former student who participated in the AVID program for sharing with our guests her positive experience in a program their funds supported this past year.“
“Our business and community partners continue to amaze us with their generosity and passion for education and the opportunities that can be provided by their contributions,” Reap said.”
