Baubles and Boots late and great
A couple eyes auction offerings at the Baubles and Boots gala, held last weekend to raise funds for the Bandera ISD Education Foundation. BULLETIN PHOTO/Chuck McCollough
The 15th annual Baubles and Boots event was different in a number of ways, most notably that it was held four months later than usual.
This year’s event, hosted by the Bandera Independent School District Education Foundation, was held on Saturday, May 15, at the Antler Oaks Lodge and RV Resort, north of Bandera.
COVID-19 forced officials to move the popular get-together from January to May, but it could not smother the spirit and fun of Baubles and Boots.
The gala raises money to fund grants that enhance academic growth in the Bandera Independent School District (BISD) and go straight back to the students through the teachers in the classrooms.
BISD officials said the grants foster an air of innovation and thinking-out-of-the-box for teachers and students.
The foundation has provided around $400,000 in grants since 2006.
BISD Education Foundation Board member Kaleigh Fischnar, her mom Valerie Page and Kaleigh’s boyfriend Christopher Vaughn were enjoyingthe event and talked to the Bulletin.
“Baubles and Boots has been running in January when there are not many fundraisers and we do not want to compete with those events. We sold 175 tickets for this event and we usually said around 250 tickets,’’ Fischnar said.
Page said she supports the event because it benefits students and teachers. Vaughn said he likes the caliber of donated items to the auctions.
The gala included a lot of artwork, gifts, giveaways and other items to bid on in silent and live auctions and an impressive offering of hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
BISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth said the event is a huge example of how the Bandera community is one large family.
“I am so proud to partner with the Bandera ISD Education Foundation, “he said. The foundation is incredibly supportive of our teachers as they work to fund innovative projects and greater choices in our classrooms.”
“It is always gratifying to take part in the Baubles and Boots event,” he continued. “It is just a small sample of the kind of small-town relationships and support that make Bandera ISD an exceptional place to learn. Our community’s financial support for the Education Foundation makes all of this possible.”
Other people at the event said the atmosphere of fun, food, and helping BISD teachers and students are reasons they come to the annual gala.