PAT Holds Fundraiser at Swiss Alp Hall

PAT friends and advisory board members volunteered their services to help with the PAT event. Pictured left to right (bottom): Carl and Amy Elstner, Destiny Psencik, Carol Janecka, Karen Hoskins, Cheryl Pekar, Becky Perez, Windi Raphael, Erica Steinhauser, Elyse Krisitnik, Juanita and Jorge Duchicela, Pam Schoeneberg, Ginger Bosl, Susie Shank, Nettie Cernosek, Josue Rivas, Andy Bosl, Margie Janecka; stage: Melanie Ramirez, Phyllis Venghaus, Phyllis Jurica, Bob and Lucy Stanzel, Tanya Schindler, Zulma Hay, Joe Schindler, and Tracey and Fred Batts. Not pictured is Jan Pipilas, Jan Whitten and Stefani Kuent.

After a year of not being able to enjoy the company of PAT supporters, due to COVID-19, the Schulenburg/Weimar Parents as Teachers (PAT) was ecstatic about being able to hold their annual fundraiser in person this year. A “People for PAT” party was held on Feb. 5 at Swiss Alp Hall. The venue was beautiful, and approximately 160 people attended, enjoying fellowship along with the delicious appetizers and dinner.

Special thank you to Mikeska Catering, the Schulenburg Retirement Center, and the Batts family for their donation towards the appetizer, dinner, and desserts, ensuring that the crowd was thoroughly “fueled” with the scrumptious array of food that evening. Dancing was enjoyed as Josh Tillman provided beautiful music for the evening, sponsored by Amy and Carl Elstner. Each guest received a complementary wine glass, with the PAT logo, courtesy of Prime Products, Inc.

The PAT Advisory Board members, along with the PAT educators volunteered their services to make sure the festivities ran smoothly. Lydia Ford Photography was on hand to capture photos as guests arrived. Elyse Kristinik and Becky Perez kept busy taking snapshots throughout the evening. Special thank you to those who sponsored tables. We were happy to hear so many positive comments about the evening and the PAT program! Thank you to all who attended.

Special thank you to Joe Schindler, Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He did a great job of moderating the event. There were five items at the live auction. Thank you to Al Schindler for doing an excellent job leading this and to all those who purchased the items. The support was phenomenal.

People who believe in the mission of PAT, but were not able to attend the live event, had the opportunity to support PAT by participating in the online auction from Feb. 3 through 6. There were 128 registered bidders vying for 99 auction items. Thank you to the donors and bidders, along with Ginger Bosl, Melinda Barneycastle, Melanie Ramirez, and the auction team who worked behind the scenes to make this auction so successful.

The event was fun and very successful. The “imprint” left from this event is priceless as the donations helps local children and families during the early crucial years of development.

If you would like more information about the PAT program, or how you can support the PAT program, visit the website www.sw-pat.org or call (979) 743-6584.