By Avery Maier, ’13, News Editor
“Country Date is a wonderful evening for parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and past parents to socialize, connect and support the school,” said President of the Board of Trustees Julie Fleischmann. “This year’s Country Date chair-people did a marvelous job planning a fun and successful event.”
The annual Country Date fund-raising event, held this year on Saturday, March 6, was co-chaired by Linda Pruis, Wendy Bader, Tricia Knowles, and Tresonne Peters, a second grade teacher in the Lower School.
Approximately 325 people attended Country Date. The event consisted of a sit-down dinner, a raffle, a silent auction, and a new tradition, Raise the Paddle, designed by this year’s co-chairs.
“We asked people if they would raise their paddle to give money for different things such as equipment for sporting events, laptops for teachers, the arts department, etc.” said Linda Pruis. There were varying amounts of money a person could give.
Pruis said Country Date’s purpose is not only to raise money for the school, but also to bring the community closer together.
“It was a community builder and it seemed like everyone really enjoyed being there,” she said.
As community was the event’s main theme, the co-chairs found a way to integrate different parts of the Country Day community into the event.
“Because the theme of the event was ‘Spotlight on the Kids,’ we tried to get the kids involved. Some students handed out roses to all the women as they arrived,” said Pruis.
Faculty also helped with the event. Director of Food Services Donna Fischer was responsible for the food rather than an outside caterer. Lower School and Middle School Art Teacher Ully Marin made a frame for one of the class gifts.
“At a private school, it is important to try to get as many people involved as we can. What is great about our school is that everyone has different talents that they want to contribute,” said Pruis.
Gift-gathering parties was another fresh idea added to this year’s Country Date fundraiser.
“Different parents from different sections of the school hosted a party at their home,” said Pruis. “In order to attend the event, you had to bring an item or money that could be used for Country Date.”
Anne Kistinger and Marlene Hoover hosted the Upper School, while Amy Guttman represented the Middle School, and Lisa Pettengill and Lisa O’Brein represented the Lower School.
The raffle provided a chance to support the school and win prizes. Each ticket cost $100, The first prize was half a year’s tuition, or $5,000; the second prize was a premium parking spot on campus; and the third prize was a CCDS-certified Toshiba laptop.
There were also auction items such as vacation home packages and a Taylor Swift Concert Package.
Rick Schneider donated a package trip to New York. The lucky winner would fly on a private jet to New York City and watch Jersey Boys.
President of the Parents’ Association Jon Hall said he thought “Country Date was terrific. While it is one of the most important fund raisers for the school, Country Date is also a great community-builder. It’s an enjoyable way to connect with so many parents from across the school.”
Photo courtesy of CCDS.