Slaton Education Foundation hosts 1st ever Gala

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

“The Future’s So Bright.”

Locals wanted to ensure that goal for Slaton Independent School District students they gathered together to raise money for that goal Saturday evening (April 6) during the first-ever Slaton Education Foundation Gala at the Overton Hotel and Convention Center in Lubbock.

A rough total of $137,000 was raised, with a goal of $100,000.

The group was created earlier this year as a way to, per its motto, “Better the lives and education of the students and teachers of Slaton ISD programs and organizations, and promote an environment that prepares all students for a successful future.”

Boardmember Jeremy Barbee thanked all for coming to the event, which featured a dinner, auction and dance, and told how it came to be. 

“One of the things we did to get the foundation started was to find some people passionate about Slaton, passionate about education and passionate about Slaton ISD,” he said. 

“We have four families that are passionate about Slaton and wanted to be part of our founding families. Combined between these four families they started us off (with) $100,000 initial seed money.”

The four families were The Larry T. Neal family, the Gossett family, J.S. Edwards family endowment fund and R.E. Janes Gravel.

Each family was recognized for why they contributed to the Foundation, several who had family attend SISD.

They were presented with a special plaque recognizing them as founding families.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.