Putting the “Fun” in Fundraiser

The Taste of Columbus has been a premier fundraiser for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and a local nonprofit for a long time. According to the Chamber website, this is what they have to say about the event:

This spectacular event is an evening for the Columbus community to come out and experience samples of tasty dishes from local restaurants, bakeries, and food vendors, and also taste a variety of beverages from wine and craft beer distributors. But it’s not just about indulging your palate; it’s about making a difference in our community. Our silent and royal auctions are filled with unique experiences and fabulous products, all generously contributed by local businesses and individuals. By participating, you’re supporting two incredible nonprofits that tirelessly serve our community in countless ways.

As the beneficiary organization, Platte Valley Literacy was incredibly excited to be part of this grand gala.

From the food to the beverages to the auction items, there was something for everyone at the event, and good times were had by all.

After all was said and done, donors ensured that the PVLA was able to receive $22,724.63—and this is going to have a HUGE impact on what we’re able to provide for our students.

A portion of the funds will go to purchasing new laptops for students to use. The rest will be used to ensure that students have the materials and high-quality instructors necessary to achieve their goals.

Taste of Columbus was an incredibly magical evening, and the PVLA is thrilled to have been able to spend it with so many amazing (and generous!) Columbus community members.

Thank you!

The calm before the storm. The event room before the guests arrived.

PVLA employees working the trivia table at the event. From left to right: Melanie (citizenship instructor), Alicia (receptionist, employability skills instructor, and ESL instructor), and Itzel (receptionist, classroom assistant, and Outreach Conversational Spanish instructor)

The masses gathering for a good time.

The amazing crowd at the Taste of Columbus

The Season of Thanks

It’s that time of year when people count their blessings. They take a look at their life and give thanks for the events and people who have had a big impact.

Here that the PVLA, we have so much to be thankful for. From a new director to being able to participate in Taste of Columbus, 2023 had a lot going on. Through it all, we still did what we had to to ensure that students were being taken care of and being empowered to reach their educational goals.

 

Individuals Who Make it Happen

One of the biggest things we are thankful here at the PVLA are the donors who either give their time or resources to help students. From Snack Sponsors to volunteer tutors to volunteer instructors, individuals giving what they can makes a huge impact on the lives of students.

It may not seem like a lot for students to have a cup of coffee or grab a small treat, but it means the world to them. They are working hard to improve their lives (and the lives of their families), so being able to take a break and refuel is essential.

Having instructors and tutors who freely give their time to make sure students understand a particular topic or have information to learn a new one is life-changing—literally. The topics they are learning in a class or one-on-one lessons could be exactly what they need to pass a test or apply for a better job. Without individuals willing to help out, students wouldn’t be filled with the knowledge they need to improve their lives.

 

Partnerships with the Community

Individuals play a huge role in supporting students, but we couldn’t do much without the community. Our partnership with CCC Adult Education provides the technology and classroom space, as well as the instructors and materials, that keep our students learning with the most up-to-date information.

The United Way allocates the vast majority of funding that ensures we can pay our high-quality instructors and obtain materials and technology for the classrooms.

Our newest partnership with Columbus Public Schools to offer Family Learning allows us to reach a whole new set of students and provide them with language skills that will help them and their families be successful in life.

The Family Learning classes, as well as our Integration Class, has also opened up partnerships with community members to speak directly to students about the services they have to offer. There are so many amazing individuals who have volunteered their time to talk about their jobs and their passions to ensure that our students know more about the Columbus community.

There are also the partnerships with manufacturers here in town. These companies go out of their way to schedule Outreach Classes to ensure their employees have the skills that can help them be successful at work and beyond. Whether they are learning English or conversational Spanish, these businesses are breaking down barriers and making all of their employees feel valued inside the company walls and in the larger community.

 

More to Come

This year has been incredibly busy with the development of new classes and partnerships and maintaining classes that have been in existence for a long time. The PVLA has been around since the 1980s, and we continue to thrive and survive because of the support of individuals and members of the community.

We are so thankful for our donors, whether they give of their time or money. This year may be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean we’re done. There are still so many ways for you to support the PVLA and its mission, and there’s a whole new year to get involved and see what we have planned for our students.

Thank You!

Taste of Columbus Entertainment

This year, as you walk around and indulge in the delectable food and drink offerings that local restaurants and beverage dispensers have to offer, try your luck at answering some trivia questions.

With three tables to choose from, you’ll get a better understanding of who attends classes and what students at the Platte Valley Literacy Association are studying—and hopefully learn something new.

Think you have what it takes to answer questions from the citizenship test? Find out!

How well do you know world geography? Test your knowledge and learn more about the countries PVLA students are from.

Do you have any foreign language skills? See how many Spanish or French words you know!

While the trivia is entertaining and fun in itself, you also have the chance of winning prizes. By getting correct answers, you’ll earn tickets that are placed in a container and drawn later in the evening. The more you play, the more tickets you earn, and the more chances you have of winning.

Some of the prizes you can win include the following:

A Relaxation Basket donated by Colegrove Counseling. Includes a blanket, scented lotions, a journal, stress ball, and other items.

A Mushroom Plushie donated by Vanessa Adame.

Various peacock feather arrangements donated by Duane Matson.

Put your knowledge to the test, learn something new, and have some fun by playing trivia games specific to the PVLA!

We hope to see you there!

What Makes Raffles Fun?

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

At some point in your life, you’ve probably participated in a raffle. When the time came to draw the winning name or number, you more than likely held your breath as you waited to find out if you won.

If you did, you most likely squealed with excitement.

If you didn’t, you probably still had some fun.

Not only that, but by participating in the raffle, you were helping out a worthy cause.

Games of Chance that Are Beneficial

Raffles are games of chance, and your chances of winning depend on how many names are in the drawing and how many prizes can be won. Raffles can be found in a variety of places, but more often than not, they are used as a way to raise funds for a specific cause—a sports team, a nonprofit, whatever.

What makes a raffle fun is the fact that not only can you win a great prize, but you also have the opportunity to support an organization that is important to you. You may not win the item, but you’ll still get a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing you helped someone out.

Speaking of raffles and fun, did you know that we are currently selling tickets for a raffle? Click this link to buy tickets for a chance to win a Maker’s Mark griddle (with accessories) and a Solo smokeless firepit. From morning to night, you’ll have the outdoor items that will make your backyard THE place to be.

 

In addition, you get to support a great cause. Whether your name gets drawn or not, you’re still a winner because you’re helping out the PVLA.