EATS fundraiser this Thursday at CCHS

With Cook County School District facing ongoing funding cuts and declining enrollment, learning opportunities for students are increasingly at risk.  As a way to offset losses in funding, the Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation was formed nearly ten years ago.  Kay Tavernier is a teacher at ISD 166 and a foundation board member.

“In those ten years since the creation of the Cook County School District Education Foundation, we’ve given close to $70,000 in grants,” says Tavernier.  “We rely on donations from individuals within the community, and seasonal people who are up here part of the year that want to donate, and payroll deductions from employees.  But our largest amount of money comes from EATS.  That’s our main fundraiser.”

EATS stands for Enriching Academics Through Sustenance and is an evening of food and music for a good cause.  This year is the 8th Annual EATS fundraiser and will take place this Thursday evening at Cook County High School.  The event features a silent auction with items donated by local business, live music and food provided by several area restaurants.

“We have, from the Landing, BBQ ribs and hashbrown bake,” says Tavernier.  “Bluefin Grill - smoked fish mousse on toasted baguette; Moguls - mini walleye cakes and mini potato skins; Pie Place - chili bites, mini ultimate chocolate chip pecan cookie; there’s smoked salmon chowder from Sister’s Place; Gunflint Lodge - walleye chowder.  But listen here what the Co-op’s bringing - Chipotle sweet potato soup, six seeded soda bread, Moroccan orange walnut salad.”

The Annual EATS fundraiser, sponsored by the Cook County School District Education Foundation is this Thursday at Cook County Middle/High School from 6pm to 8pm. Only 150 tickets are available and can be purchased at the ISD 166 district office or from any Foundation Board Member.  For further information or to purchase tickets call 387-2271 ext. 606.