When the fall season rolls around, the school board is hard at work with their annual School Foundation Dance. This event has been put on for the last few years to raise funds for the Fort Dodge Community School District for more opportunity for students.

The board compiled of about 25 individuals meet every first Monday of each month. Parents and individuals from all occupation take the duty to get organized for this event well ahead of time in the spring.

“We plan in advance for tickets, location, DJ, food, decorations, and everything else,” stated Meg Beshey, an art teacher at Fort Dodge and a past member of the board.

“Kids are involved at making the decorations and every year is different, which is what keeps it great for the community.”

Not only is this night full of dancing and a DJ there is a variety of food and a live and silent auction that includes different prizes donated by families and businesses around town.

Tickets to sporting events, pictures/quotes, goody baskets, dinners from around town and much more are all possible prizes to win.

The biggest raffle available, which is now standard in Fort Dodge, is the $100.00 car raffle ticket or the cash money prize.

Ford, Shimkat and Irwin Auto each donate a $14,000 car for the raffle winner to choose from, which includes either a 2007 Toyota Corolla, Dodge Caliber, or a Chevy Cobalt.

However, you can choose the money instead and win up to $10,000 in cash. The more cash raffle tickets bought the better chance of winning a higher set of money.

Each year approximately $12,000-13,000 dollars is raised in one night and the board goes straight to supplying the district with the needed equipment.

Some of the money goes towards the athletic departments for uniforms/equipment, organizations/clubs around the schools, the wrestling mats at Phillips Middle School, new desks in the elementary schools, some contributions went to the weight room, and it also supports the authors that attend the elementary schools in the spring time and much more throughout the district.

The event will take place on October 14, 2006; at 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Dodge Event Center, formally the Laramar. Tickets are $20.00 per person and includes the catered food. Anyone from around town is welcomed to attend, “anyone who wants to support the community schools,” stated Beshey.

This is a night full of excitement and fun with many prizes for one to win.