By Nikki Baird, TEA member and parent of Trailblazer kindergarten student Corbin Baird, age 6

The Trailblazer Education Alliance (TEA), the community organization that supports Trailblazer Elementary School, held a Family Fun Night event at Ranch View Middle School on Friday, February 8th. The event brought together members of the community surrounding Trailblazer Elementary School and capped off a fundraising drive to fund new playground equipment.

Nearly 600 people attended the event, which featured dinner, bingo, performances by the Trailblazer student choir, a silent auction, and party poppers that contained prizes donated by community merchants. Over 150 companies donated prizes and raffle items, which included a signed Rockies World Series baseball.

This year's event also included a classroom basket raffle. Each classroom from K-6 created a themed gift basket from items donated to the class. Themes ranged from "Queen for a day" to "Disney". The baskets were raffled off at the end of the night. The class with the gift basket that received the most tickets will receive a $50 Visa card.

TEA estimates that approximately $7,000 was raised through the event and other fundraising drives surrounding the event, including direct donations made by Commercial Fitness, Dr. Elizabeth Dunkleberger, Richard and Kristen Pomeroy, VEMMA - Christina Schulz, and Kids Dentistry - Dr. Lisa Stimmel. This brings the total funds raised by TEA for the 2007-08 school year to over $20,000.

"It was a fantastic event, and we are so pleased with the results," said Ashlee Tenney, President of TEA, and parent of Trailblazer first grader Preston Tenney, age 6. "The number of families who came far exceeded our expectations and the support we received from the community was tremendous."

"It was wonderful to see all of the Trailblazer families together and having a great time," said Linda Schneider, Principal at Trailblazer Elementary. "With increased emphasis on wellness goals throughout the school district, TEA's help refreshing the playground will be so important in keeping it fun and engaging for our kids."

The Trailblazer Education Alliance is a Chapter of the Douglas County Education Foundation, comprised of an all-volunteer group of parents, teachers, and staff working together to raise money to better kids' educational experiences at Trailblazer Elementary. The Alliance holds two major fundraisers each year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

In the past, Trailblazer Education Alliance fundraising efforts have helped fund everything from classroom computers and projectors, to musical instruments and art supplies. To find out how you can help, contact Trailblazer Education Alliance Chapter President, Ashlee Tenney at a.tenney@comcast.net, or visit the Alliance's homepage at http://schools.dcsdk12.org/education/club/club.php?sectionid=4507.