1981 QHS boys basketball team to be honored during 12th annual Night to Dream Big on Nov. 1

QUINCY — The Quincy Public Schools Foundation will be the host of the 12th annual Night to Dream Big gala at the Oakley Lindsay Center from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. A Night to Dream Big is the largest fundraising event in the foundation’s annual campaign, which was launched on Aug. 1 and runs through Jan. 15.

This year’s Dream Big Campaign is chaired by QHS alumni Bo and Erin (McGee) Knapheide.

The Night to Dream Big Gala offers a cocktail hour, dinner, remarks by honorees, live and silent auctions and musical entertainment by local band Gypsy Tango Foxtrot.

The QPS Foundation will give out three awards at the event.

The Dream Big Award will be bestowed upon Carson Kirk, long-time QPSF board member and supporter. The Dream Big Award is presented to a small, distinguished group of people who have supported the Quincy Public Schools. Kirk has been a longtime and ardent supporter of the mission of the Quincy Public Schools Foundation and was the organization’s first trustee emeritus.

The Distinguished Alumni Award will be given to the 1980-81 boys basketball team for their lasting impact on Quincy High School athletics. Their season culminated in a 33-0 record and a victory in the Illinois Class AA state championship game.

The Dream Big Staff Choice Award will be a teacher or staff member from the Quincy Public Schools District, nominated by their peers and voted on by the community. Public voting for the Dream Big Staff Choice award opens Oct. 7.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. Early bird prices are $70 per person or $500 for a table of eight. Early bird pricing ends Oct. 4. After that date, ticket prices increase to $80 for a ticket and $550 for a table of eight seats.  Tickets can be bought online at qpsfoundation.org/ntdb or by calling the Foundation office at 217-228-7112.

All proceeds benefit the Quincy Public Schools Foundation. Its mission is to acquire and distribute financial and other resources to fulfill the mission of Quincy Public Schools. In the last fiscal year alone, endowment dividends and board-designated funds provided nearly $500,000 in support for the QPS District through the QPSF grant program to meet teacher and district requests for technology, curriculum, training and other program needs. Contributors to funding for the QPS District include previous Dream Big campaigns, grants and private gifts.

Gifts to the Dream Big Campaign should be made to QPS Foundation through the foundation office at Quincy High School, postal mail or the foundation’s website, www.qpsfoundation.org. People interested in endowment giving should contact the foundation office at 217-228-7112 for more information.