Celebrating our 20th year at the 2022 MEF Gala Hops & Vino Festival

Celebrating our 20th year at the 2022 MEF Gala Hops & Vino Festival

The Merrillville Education Foundation hosted the Hops and Vino Festival at Avalon Manor on May 27, 2022, to celebrate our 20th year of existence. It was a great evening and everyone enjoyed themselves, plus we raised funds to continue our mission!

Please check out our list of 2022 MEF Gala Sponsors and enjoy the photo gallery below.

 

2022 MEF Gala Sponsors
Many thanks to our sponsors of our 2022 MEF Gala! With your support, the Foundation continues to provide unique and valuable education opportunities for Merrillville students.

9720 Barbershop and Spa
Albanese Confectionery
Andrew Draper – Prudential Financial
Annette and Joe Allegretti
Asparagus Restaurant
Barb Orelup
Big Daddy BBQ
BJ Brewhouse
Chicagoland Popcorn of Merrillville
Chick-fil-A of Merrillville
Chris and Lori Govert
Ciao Bella Restaurant
Clifford Pierce Middle School
Custom Data Services – Chris Govert, Adam Mylnarcik, Adam Pardune
Dave Barrick – Coldwell Realty
Dorine Lumbarski
Fieler Elementary School
Gail Nicolini

Gino’s Restaurant
Gorgeous Glow Aesthetics
Greg Bosak
Iddings Elementary School
Innsbrook Country Club
John Wood Elementary School
Joy Kent
Kathy Martin
Kim and Steve Coppolillo
McMahon & Associates, CPA’s, P.C.
Major Saver
Marissa and Scott Smoljan
Mary Hoffman
Maxim’s Restaurant
Merrillville High School
Merrillville High School Athletic Department
Merrillville Intermediate School
Mike and Micky Zolfo – The Yoga Room

Mike Hadt – Oak Investments
Miller Elementary School
Nancy Draper
Net Par
Nick and MaryBeth Brown
Nicole Clark
Piccolo Sogno Restaurant
Planet Fitness of Merrillville
Salk Elementary School
Sky Zone
State of Mind Salon and Day Spa
Terrell and Marnita Taylor
The Exercise Coach-TJ Lux and Trainer Ashley
Turkey Creek Country Club
Up Your Alley
Walmart of Schererville
Wise Guys
Youche Country Club
Zig-E’s Funland

Other Media Galleries

2018 MEF Walk-A-Thon Photo Gallery

The Merrillville Education Foundation sponsored its 2nd Annual Walk-A-Thon on October 6, 2018, at the Merrillville High School Field House. It was a tremendous success! Other Media Galleries

2017 Walk-A-Thon Photo Gallery

The Merrillville Education Foundation sponsored its first Walk-A-Thon on a beautiful Saturday morning on September 16, 2017. A million thanks to all who came out to participate! We had nearly 100 participants, and it was a tremendous success. Everyone got...

2011 MEF Gala Photo Gallery

The 2011 Merrillville Education Foundation Gala was held on Friday, April 29 at the Star Plaza in Merrillville. An enjoyable evening of food, spirits and entertainment marked another successful fundraiser for the Foundation.   Other Media...

Join us at the 2022 MEF Gala Hops & Vino Festival as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary!

The Merrillville Education Foundation is proud to announce that we are celebrating our 20th anniversary at our spring Gala, “Hops and Vino Festival” on Friday, May 27, 2022, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville for adults 21 and over. The evening is filled with gourmet food stations, exceptional beer, wine, and bourbon tasting, basket raffles and friendly fellowship in a relaxing atmosphere of fun and music.

Tickets are only $40 per person and can be purchased at any Merrillville School Office or securely online through Give Lively at the following link: https://secure.givelively.org/event/merrillville-education-foundation-inc/hops-and-vino-festival-2022.

The mission of the Merrillville Education Foundation is to be the primary private sector partner in supporting public education in Merrillville. Grants provided by the MEF offer resources that are not available through public education funding. Over the past 20 years, we have funded over 450 grants totaling over $389,000. These grants have impacted over 123,000 students in the Merrillville schools from kindergarten through high school. The grants are chosen based on their innovative approach and their educational contribution. By attending the Hops and Vino Festival, you will help us continue this mission for many more years to come.

If you cannot attend, but would still like to support the MEF, you can make a contribution at the Give Lively link or on our website through PayPal at merrillvilleeducationfoundation.org.

Download the printable MEF Gala flyer…

4th Annual MEF Walk-A-Thon is a huge success!

4th Annual MEF Walk-A-Thon is a huge success!

2021 Sponsors | 2021 Media Gallery

The Merrillville Education Foundation sponsored our fourth Walk-A-Thon on October 9, 2021, at the Merrillville High School Soccer/Track and Field Area. Many thanks to all who came out for the event on a beautiful fall morning! We had over 100 participants, and it was a tremendous success. Everyone got some good exercise, many prizes were given out, and a fun time was had by all. We would like to thank the following people for their generosity and support:

  • Merrillville students, families, and staff for raising money and coming to the walk
  • Merrillville teachers, support staff and principals for spreading the word
  • Business and community sponsors for giving donations and prizes
  • MHS Athletic Department for helping coordinate the event
  • Koz’s Quality Printing in Lowell for creating the T-shirts and the banner
  • Volunteers from the Merrillville High School Cheerleaders for giving of their time
  • Merrillville Education Foundation Board Members for doing what it takes to make it a success

Also, congratulations to Fieler School for having the most participants and winning the traveling trophy for one year!

You can find a list of our monetary sponsors and gift sponsors below. Thanks again and we hope to see everyone at next year’s Walk-A-Thon!

 

2021 Walk-A-Thon Sponsors
Many thanks to our sponsors of our 4th Annual MEF Walk-A-Thon! With your support, the Foundation continues to provide unique and valuable education opportunities for Merrillville students.

2021 Silver Star Contributors $500-$999
Centier Bank
Culver’s Restaurants
McMahon & Associates CPA’s, P.C.
Prudential Financial – Andrew Draper
Puntillo and Crane Orthodontics PC

2021 Bronze Star Contributors$250-$499
Able Paper and Janitorial Supplies
Briggs Insurance Agency
DVG Team, Inc.
Fahrenheit 212 Restaurant
Hugh P. Seller & Frances K. Seller, DDS
White Castle

2021 Purple Star Contributors$100 to $249
Acme Print Copy Design
Brandy’s Safe and Lock
David and Paula Barrick
Geisen Funeral Home

 

2021 Gift Sponsors
Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc.
Andy Draper
Barb Orelup
Chick-fil-A
Costco
Family Express
Gail Nicolini
Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch
Iddings School
Jak’s Warehouse
Kathy Martin
Koz’s Quality Printing
Lori Govert
Marisa Smoljan

2021 Gift Sponsors
Marnita and Terrell Taylor
Mary Hoffman
McDonald’s – Modrak Operating Group
Melanie Atria
MHS Cheerleaders
Miller School
Nancy Draper
Nicole Clark
Sky Zone
Stardust Bowl
Up Your Alley
White Castle
Zig-E’s Funland

Register Now! 4th Annual MEF Walk-A-Thon set for October 9

The Merrillville Education Foundation invites you to participate in our 4th Annual MEF Walk-a-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, October 9, 2021! Participants in the “Better Health, Better Minds” event will be walking at Merrillville High School to raise funds for MEF teacher grants.

DOWNLOAD YOUR REGISTRATION FORM HERE and join us for a day of prizes, food, exercise and fun, while supporting new education opportunities for Merrillville Community School students.

MEF Walk-a-Thon Details:

2021 Sponsorship Opportunities

We are asking for help from community businesses and school patrons to partner with us in this worthwhile endeavor. Please consider contributing in one or more ways to help our cause.

To view suggested sponsorship opportunities, CLICK/TAP HERE for our information letter. We also need gift cards/gift certificates for Walk-a-Thon participant prizes.

Thank you for joining many others in going the extra mile in support of our students, our schools, and our community. Your financial support at whatever level you choose will be greatly appreciated!

  • Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and walking will begin at 9:00 a.m.
  • Location of the walk will be at the Merrillville High School Soccer/Track & Field Area (east of the football stadium). In case of rain, we will walk in the MHS Field House.
  • Minimum participation donation is $10.00 for ages 5 and up.
  • EVERY participant must submit a signed event disclaimer in order to walk in the event.
  • Participants are asked to walk one mile, but can choose to walk more if they wish.
  • T-shirts for ages 5 years and older will be given to each participant who raises/brings in at least $20.00 in sponsorship donations and submits the registration form and donations to your school’s office by Thursday, September 23, 2021. Late registration and additional funding may be turned in on the day of the event, but no T-shirt can be guaranteed. Additional T-shirts will be available to purchase on Saturday, October 9th, while supplies last.
  • Participants will receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win a door prize on the event day. The raffle ticket will be given at the time of registration on October 9th.
  • If you raise $100 or more, you are guaranteed a prize! The student who raises the most money will get first choice of the available prizes.
  • This is a family-friendly event open to EVERYONE in the community. Please join us! However, if you are unable to participate, please consider making a donation to MEF.
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: We are asking help from community businesses and school patrons to partner with us in this worthwhile endeavor.  Suggested sponsorship opportunities can be found in our information letterWe also need gift cards/gift certificates for prizes.  Please consider contributing in one or more ways to help our cause.  Thank you for joining many others in going the extra mile in support of our students, our schools, and our community. Your financial support at whatever level you choose will be greatly appreciated!


We hope that this will continue to be a huge community event so we can continue to provide impactful grants that enhance our students’ learning experiences. Teacher grants are awarded semi-annually by the Foundation.

Be on the lookout! The 2021 Major Saver campaign starts April 8

SMALL CARD, BIG RESULTS
Merrillville Education Foundation Major Saver Campaign

Sample Major Saver Card from 2020The Merrillville Education Foundation is excited to be offering Major Saver cards for sale through the Merrillville schools. Students will receive the sales packets starting Thursday, April 8, 2021. The sale will last approximately two weeks. Proceeds from the sale of Major Saver cards directly support all the schools and the activities of the Merrillville Education Foundation. All the money generated from this fundraiser goes back to the children. In this way, Merrillville Community School Corporation can fund innovative and creative projects in the classrooms and schools and allow students to have broad educational experiences.

From 2002-2020 since the Merrillville Education Foundation started, the corporation has been awarded $378,082.66 in teacher grants and Major Saver fundraising.

Major Saver cards can be purchased via cash, check or online at www.majorsaver.com. The online sale can be credited back to a particular student and school. All cards purchased online will be mailed directly to the customer. Administrators, Teachers, and MCSC Employees can also purchase cards to support this initiative.

The Major Saver App is now LOADED with THOUSANDS of offers valid NATIONWIDE!! Your Major Saver card will come with a code so you can download and access these deals. You’re no longer limited to just savings in the Merrillville area. Going to Chicago or Indianapolis for the weekend? Open your app and take advantage of savings there too!!

Major Saver is making online sales easier for friends and family! On our homepage you are able to enter your student’s information to create a CUSTOM LINK for your child that can be shared via social media or email. This link will automatically credit the online sale to your student when friends and family use the link to make their purchase!

Major Saver stresses safe selling and discourages door to door campaigning. The company encourages students to sell to family members, church patrons, neighbors, or other adults the family may know; and to always make sure their parents are involved.

Please consider purchasing one or more Major Saver cards this year to help benefit the Merrillville Education Foundation and the students within the district.

Thank you for your continued support! Be ready for the Major Saver 2021 card coming soon!

UPDATED: 2020 MEF Major Saver Campaign ends

Major Saver Card 2020UPDATE: Closing out 2020 Major Saver Campaign
Due to Merrillville schools closing to comply with the Governor’s COVID-19 orders, new procedures for parents and students to submit their campaign orders has been laid out by the Major Saver company. Please download instructions here.

Small Card, BIG Results. The Major Saver 2020 card is now here and ready for sale beginning Thursday, March 12th! Students will be selling $10 cards in person or you can order your card online.

The Merrillville Education Foundation is once again excited to be offering Major Saver discount cards for sale through the Merrillville schools. Conveniently keep the mini card on your keychain, or download the Major Saver app for Android or iOS devices so you can always take full advantage of all of the great discounts the card offers. You’re no longer limited to just savings in the Merrillville area. Going to Chicago or Indianapolis for the weekend? Open your app and take advantage of savings there too!

Students in the district will be selling $10 cards with over 20 local BOGO or discount offers, and THOUSANDS of offers nationwide on the Android or iOS apps! Students in grades K-8 will start selling cards Thursday, March 12th thru Tuesday, March 24th. High school students will be selling cards from Friday, March 20th through Monday, April 20th. (more…)