The Jeffco Schools Foundation (JSF) Gala is fast approaching and will help to support over 84,000 Jeffco students to thrive and to access their bright futures. Funds are needed to continue this history of support for Jeffco students. Efforts supported through JSF, in partnership with Jeffco Public Schools programs such as CareerLinks, workbased learning, apprenticeships, and internships foster interest and skill development of high school students in the design and construction industries.
A virtual fundraising event is scheduled from November 13 through December 4, with a silent auction as well as an in-person Gala on May 14, 2022. Jeffco Schools Foundation is seeking sponsorships from Jefferson County and Metro Denver area companies and partners to provide necessary supports that ensure Jeffco students thrive, and also to diversify and expand the local talent pipeline for employers. Sponsors will receive recognition in communications, online via the event platform, newsletter and social media recognition, among other outlets.
“Many of our high school students are beginning to consider career paths, and the Gala provides the financial support to ensure students have a number of opportunities to explore and develop industry-relevant skills in design and construction and beyond,” said Adele Willson, Jeffco Schools Foundation board member and principal, Hord Coplan Macht. “The design and construction fields may not be something students have explored or thought about, making school-based career exploration opportunities critically important, particularly before students enter college and start paying for an education that may not be a right fit for them. Supporting students in finding their paths toward their bright futures is a priority for us, as is ensuring a local and diverse talent pipeline for our design and construction employers and companies.”
Among the sponsors taking part in this year’s Gala is Ackerman Engineering ($7,500 level), an advocate of supporting Jeffco students since the company’s inception in 2000. An electrical engineering firm, Ackerman is in charge of converting Jeffco’s school lighting to LED and is in the midst of the largest conversion for the entire school system. Ackerman Engineering is joined by visionary companies across Jeffco dedicated to ensuring student supports and growing a local and diverse talent pipeline for employers.
“Half of our team of employees are graduates of Jeffco Public Schools and many of our team’s children currently attend or graduated from Jeffco, so needless to say the schools are very dear to us,” said Don Ackerman, company founder. “Even though we are not the largest company in our sector serving Jeffco, we believe in investing big in Jeffco students and we are dedicated to our outstanding relationship with Jeffco because we believe in igniting and illuminating the potential of every Jeffco student to thrive.”
There are numerous sponsorship levels available, ranging from $1,500 to $25,000. Information regarding the sponsorship levels and ways to donate items to the silent auction is available at www.jeffcoschoolsfoundation.org.
