FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photography Available
Media Contact: Theresa Larsen
262-248-4492
July 12, 2006, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – On Monday, July 10th the Geneva National Foundation hosted its second annual golf outing to benefit Lakeland School of Walworth County. More than 260 golfers played on Geneva National’s Palmer and Trevino courses, followed by an auction that generated $230,000 in donations. From there, they “Doubled Down” with a donation by an anonymous benefactor of $250,000 in matching dollars. That brought the one-day total to $460,000.
“We are overwhelmed with the results,” said Kevin Paluch, Managing Director of the Foundation and General Manager of the Golf Club. “The excitement and generosity in the room was absolutely tangible, and we are thrilled and honored to be able to raise these funds for such a worthy school.” In addition, the event’s benefactor extended the offer to match contributions to the event through the end of the year. “We still have time to raise another $20,000 to be matched, making it possible for us to raise a half-million dollars from this one event” said Paluch.
Lakeland School serves all fifteen school districts in the area, providing education and facilities for all of our Special Needs students, ages 3-21. All of the special education teachers working in our neighborhood schools report to the Lakeland administration, and for those families who feel that a mainstream school is not the best choice for their child, Lakeland provides an inclusive environment for them where they are able to learn at their own pace and gain the skills they will need throughout their life. Just as important, Lakeland allows these special needs students a school experience that they may not otherwise receive in a regular school. Students enjoy school dances, sports, discussions, debates and field trips. At Lakeland School, every student has a fair chance at becoming the Homecoming King, Valedictorian or Queen of the Prom.
Though there is still debate and decisions to be made at the county level on the building logistics, Lakeland School will be rebuilt in the very near future. The building that now houses the school is over 55 years old, and is less than ideal for serving this special needs population. After much discussion with school and county officials, the Geneva National Foundation is planning to upgrade the building plans from including a standard pool, to providing a complete Aquatics Center designed to meet the needs that the students of Lakeland School present. As the County’s building plans become more concrete, the Foundation’s formal contribution will be announced and the monies dedicated for the Aquatics Center.
Until Lakeland’s new home is under construction, the students, faculty and staff are still operating in their current building, which lacks some of the basic educational tools that most have come to expect in neighborhood schools. To remedy that in a small way, the Geneva National Foundation will be installing internet access and telephones in every classroom. “A few teachers from Lakeland helped us with the event,” said Paluch, “and it was a joy to hear their excitement when they heard about having phones in the classroom. A new building will make a huge difference in the lives of these children, and we cannot wait to see the final product.”
The Geneva National Foundation was established in January, 2005 by the Geneva National Golf Club. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and as such, all contributions are deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Event photos available upon request. Please contact Jennifer Dellheim at the address above
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