Guest Column by Lilah Aas

The Education Foundation of Albert Lea came into existence in 1999 when a group of concerned citizens of District 241 decided to raise funds to help cover the cost of items that were not going to be included in the new high school. Over the next year, as it successfully raised many thousand dollars, the group became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that continues to provide funds for a number of student needs.

Today, the assets of the foundation are approaching $2 million with 17 fully endowed accounts that provide the funds for such things as the Tiger Alumni Student Assistance Fund and 14 scholarships. The Tiger Alumni Student Assistance Fund makes money available for needy students to cover such things as paying participation fees, instrument rental or even cab fare.  The students must qualify for free/reduced lunch and have the recommendation of a social worker or administrator. In addition, we fund the  Teacher Grant Fund. This fund enables teachers to apply for funds to cover enrichment materials or experiences not covered in the classroom budgets. We are extremely grateful to the Albert Lea community and the various individuals who have made these funds possible.

Even though we are concerned about raising funds for these important programs, we also sponsor the Distinguished Alumni program, and I am writing to call your attention to our need of nominations for the Distinguished Alumni program. Since 2007, the Education Foundation has annually honored ALHS graduates who have distinguished themselves through their economic and/or  philanthropic success. As of last September, 54 individuals have been honored. Among the honorees are a number of deceased individuals as well as people still alive and leading vibrant lives. There is a dinner at which they are honored, but more importantly, the living honorees present an assembly for the senior class of ALHS with the object of inspiring them to go on to become distinguished alumnae/alumni. We, as the board of the Education Foundation, do make the final selections, but the nominations come from you who are friends and family of those worthy individuals.

Please consider going to the foundation webpage at www.aledfoundation.org, where you will find a link to the nomination form. It can be submitted online or printed off and mailed to P. O. Box 828, Albert Lea, MN 56007. You are the ones who  know the accomplishments of your family and friends. We would like to have the nominations no later than March 20. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you as you inform us of stellar graduates of Albert Lea Area Schools.

Lilah Aas is president of Education Foundation of Albert Lea.