'Valley View's Got Talent' Fundraiser Nets More Than $20,000

The biggest fundraiser of the year for the was notable for more than just the talent that greeted attendees.

During Friday’s event, dubbed "Valley View's Got Talent" and featuring performances by current and retired educators in the , residents and students, Foundation President Mike Lawler heralded a significant milestone.

“This year we hit the $1 million mark in funding to the school district,” he said.

The foundation serves the students of the district in and Romeoville by funding educational programs designed by teachers, administrators and others. Since 1994, the Foundation has funded 675 programs covering such areas as reading, math, science and music.

Friday's dinner and auction, held at the , raised more than $20,000, Lawler said.

The talent portion of the evening included musical performances and a reading.

“I made the threat that if we didn’t get performers people would have to listen to me sing,” Lawler joked.

Performers included teacher Mike Stoerhmann, who sang “The River” by Garth Brooks;  Company B, an ensemble that sang selections from “Jersey Boys”; former teacher and Bolingbrook resident Pat Smith, who played a Native American flute; and Samuel Curry, a paraprofessional at who played the alto sax.

The idea for the “Valley View’s Got Talent” dinner was hatched after last year’s dinner when a few alumni attendees joined the karaoke activities in The Nest at Bolingbrook Golf Club.

In addition to the performances, attendees were able to bid on auction items donated by area businesses and individuals. Some of those items included tickets to Cubs and Sox games, a $200 gift card for Southwest Airlines, and signed sports memorabilia.

Lawler lauded his fellow Foundation members.

“It’s the easiest group to work with,” he said. “We have a lot of fun.”

More information about the Foundation can be found at www.vveef.org.