QPS Foundation launches 2022 Dream Big annual campaign

This year’s goal is $200,000

QUINCY — The Quincy Public Schools Foundation kicked off its annual fundraising campaign at Quincy Senior High Wednesday night.

QPS alumni Todd & Michelle Moore ’82 are the honorary chairs for this year’s campaign. During the event, the goal of the campaign and this year’s Dream Big honorees were announced. Superintendent Dr. Todd Pettit, School Board President Shelley Arns and Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Koscielski all made remarks at the event, speaking to the needs within the district that are not met with tax funding, as well as about the impact the QPS Foundation has made on QPS over the last 30 years.

This year’s campaign continues with the traditional slogan of “Dream Big” to encourage faculty and staff to utilize their imaginations when it comes to potential areas for improvement and enhancement of learning in the Quincy Public Schools District, and for students to realize their potential during their schools years and beyond graduation. The Dream Big Annual Campaign runs September 14, 2022 through January 13, 2023.

The QPS Foundation’s President of the Board of Trustees, Lindsay Ertel, announced this year’s goal of raising $200,000. Various fundraisers will be held during the campaign, including the 10^th annual Night to Dream Big Gala and Auction, a Food Truck Festival and Week to Dine Big. Sponsors from around the region have partnered with the Foundation to ensure a successful fund drive for Quincy Public Schools.

This is the first Dream Big campaign for incoming executive director, Heidi Lanier.

“I am excited to kick off this campaign and can’t wait to see what the funds raise achieve in meeting the needs within the school district. This year, we are especially excited as our Night To Dream Big Gala will be held in person for the first time in two years,” said Lanier. “It is going to be a great evening that hopefully results in raising significant funds to further the mission of Quincy Public Schools.”

The Night to Dream Big Gala is planned for Friday, Nov. 4 and tickets are on sale now at qpsfoundation.org. This year’s honorees, announced at the Campaign Kickoff event, include former QSHS principal, Dr. Richard Heitholt, and local businessman, Ryan Tanner. A QPS staff member or educator will also be voted on by their peers to be honored at the Night to Dream Big Gala.

Over the last fiscal year, over $273,000 was needed from the Foundation to meet teacher and district requests for technology, curriculum, training and other program needs. Sources for funding included previous Dream Big campaigns, endowment dividends, grants and private gifts.

Gifts to the Dream Big Campaign should be made to QPS Foundation through the foundation office at Quincy Senior High School, postal mail or the foundation’s web site, www.qpsfoundation.org. Mobile device users may easily donate electronically by texting “QPSF” to number 44-321. Those interested in endowment giving may contact the foundation office at 217-228-7112 to request more information.