By Brigette Rambadt

Austin Public Education Foundation

On July 19, the APEF will host its first Sunday Banquet and Auction in conjunction with the 18th annual Packer Classic Golf Tournament.

The July 19th Packer Classic banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic Hormel Home, while the July 20 Packer Classic Golf Tournament begins at 1 a.m. at the Austin Country Club.

Please reserve the date, reserve a seat, reserve a table and help raise funds to support and expand the opportunities available for all students at all grade levels in the Austin Public Schools, through the Austin Public Education Foundation. Seats at the banquet are $50. Golf registration is $135.

Proceeds raised directly fund innovative grant initiatives designed by Austin’s teachers and staff.

These truly unique grants reflect the dedication of Austin teachers and this community’s passion for excellence in education.

At both Packer Classic events we will revel in this past school year’s awarded grant success stories and build support for the 2015-2016 grants and beyond.

Grant recipients from 2014-2015 will be showcased including the I.J. Holton Intermediate School and Ellis Middle School robotics team robots along with displays from the Ellis plastics department and the Austin High School workforce team, metal, wood and graphic design departments.

Since the first APEF grant of $500 in 1992, to the 2015-2016 grants of $29,456.43, the APEF has provided over $409,000 to expand the programs and resources available to the over 4,000 students in the Austin Public Schools, beyond that afforded by public funding.

The APEF is separate from the school district, is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and has a passionate commitment of support and upholds the vision that strong schools are essential to the quality of life and future well-being of our community.

This year’s Packer Classic events are sponsored in part by Schieck Dentistry, Ameriprise Pinnacle Private Wealth Group, Palmer Bus Service, Custom Alarms, DMC Plumbing, Diamond Ridge Printing, Bellisio Foods, Cornerstone Church, Davis-Thoen-Kramer & Associates-Ameriprise Financial, Jack & Jan Waller, Home Federal Savings Bank, Alliance Benefit Group and the Austin Hy-Vee store.

Monday’s banquet entertainment will feature musical performances by Brian Koser & Jesse Smith. Please come and help steward Austin’s future leaders across an educational threshold full of open doors and opportunities.

For more information and to register go to www.packerclassic.org or call the APEF at 507-460-1938.

Please join us this July 19-20 at the banquet and tournament or become a sponsor, direct donate, volunteer or dedicate a memorial “Floor on the Wall” plaque. Working together we can strengthen our schools, directly impact our community and promote a culture of giving.