SEF announces record-breaking year for local fundraiser

(Seguin ) — The good times sure did roll into the most successful year yet for the Seguin Education Foundation Mardi Gras fundraiser. 

SEF Executive Director Jill Nash says she was thrilled to learn that this year’s fundraiser was a record-breaking year– bringing in a total of $163,500.

“Each year, we always try to increase our goal and last year, the funds raised was $119,000 and some change. We were definitely hoping to meet or beat that total this year, and we absolutely surpassed it,” said Nash. 

This record-breaking total also fueled another exciting fact that Nash believes should be celebrated. 

“One thing that we are especially proud to share this year is that  since we started in 2004, we have officially hit $1 million in grants given to the Seguin ISD,” said Nash. 

This year’s Mardi Gras event was held in late February at the Seguin Coliseum. It included a host of games, plus vacation raffle, live and silent auction, and a catered meal from Burnt Bean.

Nash says Seguin’s generosity is what makes a real difference for Seguin ISD students and teachers. She says leading the charge this year was Co-chairs Steve Parker and Bryan Sphan plus an incredible board of directors. 

“Our Seguin Education Foundation Board of Directors are comprised of many wonderful business owners throughout Seguin from small businesses to large businesses and their shared partnership with wanting Seguin to be the place for people to live, learn, grow and play — they work very hard at helping us bridge the gap between the businesses and the school district so we can show and build that support for our students and staff at Seguin ISD,” said Nash. 

In addition to raising money for innovative classroom tools and programs that otherwise could not be afforded through the regular school budget, Nash says the SEF this year, has elected to earmark a portion of the funds for its Fund-A Need campaign.

“One thing that we were able to do is our Fund a Need which was selected this year for our district counselors and what that is, is funds raised during our Mardi Gras to give out to our counselors at each campus to help support the resources that they need for student materials for health and wellbeing. This year, we were able to raise $10,800 to give directly to those counselors,” said Nash. 

The community is encouraged to give to the SEF year-round. They are encouraged to call the SEF office at 830-379-0325. They may also visit seguineducationfoundation.org.