The Fox Journal

The UW-Fox Valley Foundation hosted its 16th annual Educational Assistance through Scholarships (e.a.t.s.) fundraiser in the Communication Arts Center Oct. 20.

The event’s mission is to raise money for student scholarships. Every year, the community shows dedication to UW-Fox by donating money, time and auction items.

Several guest celebrity chefs served dishes for the event, including Wisconsin 8th congressional district representative Reid Ribble and congressional candidate Jamie Wall.

"e.a.t.s. engages so many people, unlike many other fundraisers this one involves the whole community. You get to come sample a bunch of food, meet a lot of folks, and help a good cause," Ribble said.

"I love seeing the reaction on peoples face when they try my food."

What makes e.a.t.s. unique is that volunteer chefs bring in homemade dishes to serve to the guests. This year's chefs included many UW-Fox staff members and local professional chefs.

"Besides helping students, I enjoy attending e.a.t.s. because I can introduce people to food from my culture which they normally don't have the chance to try in a restaurant," lecturer and senior admininstative program specialist Evelyn Li said.

Chefs and attendees agree that they love helping out students and meeting new people.

"I think it's a great program to help the students and it's a very good way to meet people in the community," state assembly representative Penny Bernard Schaber said.

Democratic candidate Wall attended e.a.t.s. for the first time this year.

"e.a.t.s. is great for the campus and a fun night of entertainment for people in the community," Wall said.

e.a.t.s. is the only fundraising event for the UW-Fox Valley Foundation.

“e.a.t.s. is a big support for the foundation," foundation president Steve Seifert said.

Students who received scholarships were required to volunteer at the event. Sophomores Alyssa Spilski and Lea Van Rossum were appreciative of the scholarships they received and happy to donate their time.

"I'm really grateful for getting the scholarships and I feel like I should give back to the people that were kind enough to donate money to us. It's the least I could do," Spilski said.

As volunteers, students were able to meet and socialize with community members supporting UW-Fox.

"I like meeting all the different chefs and seeing what kind of food they make. Some just have a nice personality, so they are nice to talk to," Van Rossum said.

"The student volunteers did an outstanding job this year," Lisa Weiner, executive director of the UW-Fox Valley Foundation, said.

More than 250 attendees spent the night sampling a variety of food, socializing and biding on auction items. The silent auction included many big items like a snow blower, several trips and hotel stays, gift certificates, jewelry and an autographed Green Bay Packer jersey.

Student ambassador Megan Kamholz enjoyed attending the event.

"I like e.a.t.s. because everybody is coming together to chip in by making all the food for the fundraiser," Kamholz said.

Attendees and participants alike agreed that this was another successful year for e.a.t.s.

"I think everybody had a great time and it was an excellent event. I had nothing but top positive feedback," Weiner said.

This year, e.a.t.s. raised an estimated $42,000 to fund future scholarships for students.

Over the past 16 years, the foundation has raised around $540,000.

For more information about e.a.t.s. visit http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu/foxfoundation/eats.html or call (920) 832-2849.