“Stampede” with the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools

April 24, 2010

Join the biggest Lovejoy party all spring when the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools hosts “Stampede!”, its fourth annual Denim & Diamonds Gala, on April 24^th at Southfork Ranch. Supporters always have a stompin’ good time at this festive evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing to a live band, and live and silent auctions.

The Gala is the biggest fundraiser for the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, allowing the nonprofit Foundation to fund extras that enrich the education of all Lovejoy ISD students. Past projects have included laptops and sampling equipment for middle school science classrooms, a 3-D model printer for high school engineering classes, heart rate monitors for PE classes, and funding for Learning@Lovejoy, the district’s annual three-week-long professional development program.

Before the Gala itself, the Foundation will sponsor an online auction April 5–16 from the foundationforlovejoyschools.org website. The online option is an easy way to bid; it’s also the only source for such annual favorites as class parties, a reserved spot at the front of the carpool line, and a special lunch on the roof with the elementary principals.

Every year at Denim & Diamonds, “Class Masterpieces” are the subject of silent-auction bidding battles as parents and other admirers try to procure their children’s collective handiwork. Different grades often select a theme, such as child-size outdoor furniture painted with the students’ handprints and signatures. Everything from jewelry to sports equipment to massages is also available at the silent auction.

The live auction is always the heart of the evening, with the auctioneer rallying dinner guests to outbid each other for vacations, parties, and this year, even a car. These are just a few of the 2010 live auction items:

2010 Mustang Raffle: It’s not your father’s dollar-a-ticket raffle. The winner of this drawing will win a 2010 Ford Mustang in the Lovejoy colors: red with bold black stripes. Tickets are $100 each, and only 500 tickets will be sold.

Telluride Vacation: A five-night stay in a luxurious 4-bedroom, ski-in/ski-out condo perched high on the slopes of Telluride's prestigious Mountain Village. Ski in the winter or golf in the summer, with plenty of room for kids and friends.

Oenophile-in-Training: Create your own wine room with 170 bottles of wine and a custom-designed wrought-iron door to complete the effect.

Private pre-auction viewing at Dallas Auction Galleries: Bring 24 friends for a private tour, scrumptious appetizers, cocktails, and the chance to see rare art, jewelry, antiques, and other treasures up close before they are sold at auction.

Party on the Bayou . . . at home: This annual favorite is a party for 50 people featuring fresh crawfish from the Louisiana coast, prepared for you by a true Cajun.

The big frenzy of every Gala is the the “Live Surprise.” Volunteers bring out 100 boxes, each with a small surprise, and one—the big winner—good, this year, for a trip to Cabo San Lucas. (This year, in addition to the vacation package, the Foundation is including two smaller, yet wonderful, real surprises.) All across the room, paddles shoot into the air and volunteers scurry to deliver boxes. After all 100 boxes have been distributed, the auctioneer calls for everyone to open them together, and we listen for a shriek from the big winner.

Tickets for the “Stampede!” Gala are on sale now at foundationforlovejoyschools.org for $85, which includes cocktails, dinner, both live and silent auctions, and dancing to country band Lantana. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now!

To donate items to the auction or inquire about sponsorships, please contact the FLS Executive Eirector, Jeff Miracle, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 469-742-8043.