30th Annual Dinner, Auction Hosted By Valley View Education Foundation

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation has announced its 30th Annual Dinner and Auctions with a "Wild Wild West" theme, according to event organizers. This year’s event will be held March 7 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

The Foundation supports School District 365-U Valley View School District by providing funding for grants designed and delivered by educators that go above and beyond the curriculum provided by the District, according to a release.

The Foundation first transitioned to a Themed event in 2015, beginning with Crosstown Classic.

“We thought our supporters would enjoy changing out of more formal evening attire and dressing up in costumes or attire that matched the theme," Foundation President Mike Lawler said in a release. “And, it has really worked out well. Our Night at the Movies theme included a couple dressed as Morpheus and Trinity from The Matrix movie who looked more authentic than the actors. It also brought attendees dressed in sweatpants and shorts who portrayed people watching movies on their couch.”

This year, the Foundation Board and Event Committee found a fundraising activity that they feel fits the Wild Wild West theme, event organizers said. The "Jail & Bail" activity allows people to pay a minimum of a $20 donation to have someone arrested during the evening, and donations for that activity can be made ahead of the event or that night.

Multiple people can be arrested with a $20 donation for each person. They can also donate $10 to secure a Wanted Poster of those people being arrested to be displayed during the event, according to a release. Orders for Wanted Posters must be placed by Feb. 28. Bail, with a minimum donation
of $20 would be raised the night of the event to secure the release of the arrestee.

Those wishing to participate in the Jail & Bail activity can go to the event website, and click on Tickets and Sponsorships and select "Jail Someone" before and during the event and "Wanted Poster" before the event. The night of the event, people can select "Bail Someone Out" to secure the release of the arrestee, according to a release.

Several items will be made available in the online auction. Attendees and those unable to attend the event can bid on auction items.

Proceeds from the annual dinner and the golf outing in June support funding from the Foundation for grant programs for school year 2025-2026, a release states. Since 1994, the Foundation has been able to fund approximately 1,191 grant programs for approximately $2 million since 1994.