You could get a ride to school on a fire truck. You could be mayor of Flossmoor for a day, or principal of your school.
During Sunday’s annual Mardi Gras fundraiser, you’ll also have a chance to help Flossmoor School District 161 fund programs in the arts and STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The District 161 PTO is sponsoring the fundraiser, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. February 15 at Grape & Grain Co., 18031 Dixie Highway in Homewood. Ticket prices are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. The event is solely for persons 21 and older.
PTO Vice President Anissa Barrett, the event chairperson, said a Mardi Gras fundraiser has benefited District 161 for the last 15 years. It was originally a country club dinner dance, complete with casino room. For the last three years, Mardi Gras has been a weekend afternoon event at Parker Junior High.
“This year we wanted to do something for the parents,” Barrett said. For the price of admission, she said, participants get unlimited beer or wine tasting and two full glasses of their selected drinks. Appetizers will also be served.
Barrett said a silent auction is the most popular feature of Mardi Gras and there will be a full selection of school and community-donated items.
Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun is auctioning off a chance to be the village’s chief elected official for a day. The winner will have lunch with Braun, get a village hall tour, attend a governmental meeting and, perhaps, make a decision about how to best run Flossmoor.
Other auction winners can get rides to school in a police car or fire truck, assume the post of school superintendent or principal for a day in District 161, or take home items donated by local businesses or tickets to Bulls, Cubs or White Sox games.
Barrett said student artwork will also be auctioned off. Each of District 161’s five schools is contributing student art to the auction.
On March 1, the PTO is hosting a second fundraiser when the Harlem Wizards traveling basketball team takes on a District 161 celebrity squad. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Tickets and further information are available at Art4Soul in Homewood and Serenity Day Spa in Flossmoor.
Barrett said online tickets for Sunday’s event are available at this link.
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/school-district-161-pto-wine-beer-tasting-15182243499
