A blue sky premiere
Janet Hubler leads planning for Center Grove Education Foundation’s Blue Skies Gala
By Nicole Davis
Janet Hubler says when friends see her coming, they might go running, knowing exactly what she’s going to ask – for them to buy a table for the Center Grove Education Foundation’s largest annual Gala for the Grove or if they can help provide a gift for the silent auction. As chairperson for the Gala, Hubler has contributed countless hours helping plan every last detail.
“Each year, the Gala committees work to put a new and refreshing spin on the event with the hope of our guests who attend walking away with the feeling of ‘WOW, I just attended a truly amazing event and I feel like I invested my money wisely in a foundation that will work tirelessly to better the opportunities for the children, teachers and staff in the schools of the community in which I live,’” Hubler says. “Together we will make a difference and we all had a great time while raising the funds to make this possible.”
Initially unknowledgeable of the foundation board’s services, Hubler was asked a year ago to serve as a volunteer for the board by Vice President Sherrie Buchanan. Hubler says she found that there was a niche the foundation filled, and thought that she could help. There are a number of families that are in financial need. With state budget cuts, many teachers need additional programs and supplies for the classrooms that are no longer state funded, which is where the foundation steps in.
“I just have a love for Center Grove,” Hubler says. “I love to help with anything involving kids. I got involved because I feel like I can make a difference and take the Center Grove Foundation to a higher level. We’re just trying to bring more visibility to the organization.”
A party planner at heart, Hubler says becoming the chairperson for the Gala was the perfect fit. With a projection of 400 guests, Huber says they hope to raise $35-40,000. Hubler says the theme, Blue Skies, was chosen because they believe it describes the future of the Center Grove Education Foundation as they “Reach for the Sky” in raising funds to further their mission: “Partner with the community to enrich the lives of all Center Grove Community School Corporation students by funding extraordinary and innovative learning experiences.” Attendants should wear blue. As they walk down the blue carpet, the event will be filmed to enhance the “premiere event.”
“The nice thing about this is I have a big committee to help me with it,” Hubler says. “It makes it a whole lot more enjoyable and its fun working with different groups of people that I’ve never met in the community. I like the energy of the groups. It’s a dynamic group of people that have amazing ideas.”
Many White River Township residents have volunteered their time planning the event. There are three committees, including for entertainment and program, sponsorship and the silent auction. Photographer Janene Preston-Cage of About Face Photography will take photos that will be posted for ordering on the foundation’s Web site afterwards. Mrs. Indiana Jeanene Christy will interview sponsors as they arrive on the blue carpet, also available to view online. Jayne Bond and the Pink Martinis’, a show band, will put on a Vegas-type lounge act for entertainment. The committee has rented a photo booth with props. The foundation will accept silent auction donations up until the event.
“To meet the CGEF and CGCSC goals for the next school year, we have the significant challenge to raise unprecedented revenue to cover the proposed budget – nearly a quarter of a million dollars,” Hubler says. “(Superintendent) Arkanoff has excellent vision for the school corporation, and funding is not yet met for many of his worthy programs.”
Included in the programs needing funding are remediation and enrichment sessions during the fall and spring intercessions. Center Grove schools will switch to a balanced calendar for the 2013-14 school year. The sessions are offered to help kids do well on the IREAD and ISTEP exams. An enrichment program would allow students k-5 to attend classes in the summer like Art Camp, Technology Camp, and Foreign Language Camp. The grant would provide the teachers compensation and transportation for the students. To fulfill this plan, they need donations covering the $65,000 cost per session. To fulfill more requests, Hubler says she hopes the foundation can work with more businesses and volunteers. For example, during the 2012 Fall grant cycle, a teacher requested building supplies for a construction class. Hubler asked Carter Lee Lumber for the supplies. They offered supplies and their expertise and technical support in the classroom, making it so the foundation did not need additional funding to cover the request.
“What we can do for the future, we really don’t know,” Hubler says. “But I would like the think the skies the limit.”
2013 Gala for the Grove
Date: Feb. 23, 2013
Time: 6:30-11:30 p.m.
Where: The Indiana Roof Ballroom
140 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis IN 46204
Cost: $100 per person
Info: centergrovefoundation.org
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