With the 2019-2020 school year approaching, Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools board members Rachel Mann, Clay Wilkey and Jen Vogel began brainstorming ideas for a signature fundraising event for the Foundation. It didn’t take long for the trio to come up with an idea that married treasured school memories with an adult evening out.
“The Foundation was looking for a ‘signature’ event that could be different each year, yet still have consistent elements,” said Foundation for DCPS Executive Director, Vicki Quisenberry.
“What better than an adult back-to-school event with nostalgic fun and a good-hearted cross-county rivalry near the beginning of school?”
Battle of the Backpacks will be held on September 7 at O.Z. Tyler Distillery beginning at 6:00 p.m. with emcee Chad Benefield and music provided by DJ Have A Nice Day Mobile Entertainment. Dress is casual, while those serving as sponsors for the event may choose to wear attire bearing the sponsor’s logo.
“Battle of the Backpacks centers around adults and the local business community filling backpacks to benefit kids while taking a nostalgic trip back to the fun of school days past,” Quisenberry said.
A school bus will pick up attendees in the O.Z. Tyler parking lot, transporting them to the entrance, where they will be met by the Apollo Eagle and DCHS Panther mascots. Once inside, attendees may select to place a team in the Spelling Bee, Geography Bee or “Are YOU Smarter Than a Fifth Grade Teacher?” games. Teams will “buy-in” to play the games and, when they do not provide the correct answer, they can choose to “fill up the backpack” to keep the team in the game for another round.
“We are hoping to raise at least $70,000 after expenses,” Quisenberry said. “With 55 percent of 11,700 DCPS students on free and reduced lunch, there is a lot of need in the district. The Foundation spends its funds on alleviating barriers to education and providing educational enhancements for DCPS students.”
Dream Copy Photography will be offering a spin on School Picture Day with nostalgic backgrounds.
For the evening meal, local chef Matt Weafer will provide a gourmet twist on two school lunch favorites square pizza with corn and spaghetti with salad. Chocolate mousse will replace school pudding for dessert.
There will also be a Bourbon Pull, which allows participants to select their favorite backpack from the display, take the bourbon home and donate the backpack to DCPS FRYSC.
“Many people are under the misguided belief that tax dollars take care of all of the needs in our schools,” Quisenberry said. “While tax dollars provide for capital projects, like the new Daviess County Middle School, and pay teacher salaries/benefits and utility bills, there are many needs, in particular through Family Resource and Youth Service Centers (FRYSC), that are unmet.”
Examples of projects that have been funded by Foundation small-grant funding are Camp Curiosity, a summer programming for English Language Learners and a “Calming Space” provided at Meadow Lands Elementary School.
Individual tickets to the event are $75 each. The top two sponsorship levels receive automatic buy-in to the games with National Merit receiving two game buy-ins and Honor Grad receiving one game buy-in.
“In addition to sponsorships listed, we are looking for a sponsor to provide 40 full-size backpacks,” Quisenberry said. “Company logos are acceptable [to place on sponsored backpacks].”
Please email [email protected] or call (270) 231-5583 for sponsorship information. Tickets may be purchased online or by emailing [email protected] or any Foundation Board Member.
