PLAYING PART IN AN ILLUSION are FISD supporters Andy Awalt and Cheryl Cockerell during the Fairfield ISD Education Foundation Gala on March 2, 2018.Educators, business owners, and community members gathered to raise money for the Fairfield ISD Education Foundation at its 2nd Annual Gala on Friday night, March 2, 2018.The event, held at the Twisted Vines event center in Fairfield, is the foundation’s main source of fundraising.

The organization uses the monies raised to offer grants to teachers for special projects and equipment to help better educate the students of Fairfield ISD.To date, the group has given nearly $30,000 worth of grants in the three years since it was formed.

This year, a combination of event ticket sales, raffle items, and auction items raised an estimated total of $12,000 (final calculations had not been made as of press time).Auction items included an FISD District Athletic Pass, three FISD Priority Football Parking Spaces, a Drunkin’ Neapolitan Cake by Momma Cakes, and 1-Day Luxury Transportation from Flying S Stagecoach.

More than 40 different products, donated by various local businesses and community members, served as raffle items and door prizes.

Dinner included spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, barbecue glazed airline chicken breast with honey glazed baby carrots and spring pea risotto, with bourbon chocolate pecan pie for desert.

Entertainment was provided by Mike Toy, a comedic magician booked from popular website finchmagician.com , who wowed the crowd with tricks and illusions while delivering well-timed punch lines.

This year’s Gala Sponsors include: Fairfield Economic Development Corporation, Melissa & Greg Cox, Pressure Pumping Services, Fairfield Farm and Ranch, Freestone County Times, Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Carter Enterprises, Fairfield Hospital District, Winters Oil Partners, freestone County Title Company, Freestone County Farm Bureau, Jack Russell Oil, Amy & Brian Evans, and Lott Physical Therapy.

Fairfield ISD Education Foundation Officers for 2017 are:

–President – Brian Evans

–Vice President of Development – Marlon Cockerell

–Vice President of Finance & Governance – Demar Hill

–Secretary – Chifawn Johnson

–Deputy Superintendent – Melissa Cox

–Trustee Representative – Kevin Benedict

–Directors – Pam Chavers, Felicia Brackens, Jason Schick, Kenny Hughes, Bettye Trask, and Kendra Young.

(Photos by Nicole Schaefer)