ELLSWORTH – If you’re looking for something to look forward to, especially after last weekend’s March blizzard, mark Thursday, May 28 on your calendar, the date for Ellsworth Community School …
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ELLSWORTH – If you’re looking for something to look forward to, especially after last weekend’s March blizzard, mark Thursday, May 28 on your calendar, the date for Ellsworth Community School District Foundation’s main fundraiser, Taste of Tuscany.
The annual event will be held 4:30-8 p.m. at Vino in the Valley (W3826 450th Ave., Maiden Rock). Money raised will be used to fund ECSDF’s mission: “enriching educational opportunities for the students of the Ellsworth Community School District through private funding.”
Contributions and money raised from the event go directly to the EXCELLS Grant program (in its 20th year), which provides resources for classrooms, field trips and other extras not covered by the district’s operating budget. It also provides an annual $1,000 grant to the Teacher of the Year.
Foundation President Amanda Eastling said the group decided to change the event from Friday night to Thursday night this year because people often leave town on Fridays, especially that time of year.
“I’ve gotten a lot of great responses that people are super happy it’s on a Thursday night,” Eastling said. “We’re changing it up to see if it works.”
Attendees can enjoy delicious wine and Italian fare, an online auction, live music, vineyard tours, raffles and games.
The online auction will open May 22 and close at 8 p.m. May 26. People at the event will have an easier time connecting to the internet this year thanks to a booster from Swift Current Connect. Those unable to attend can bid from their couch at home or wherever they are. Payments for auction items are taken online via credit/debit card.
Though the group is still collecting auction items, some fun ones are already on the docket, including a Stihl leaf blower from Ace Hardware, a pool party, two pizza parties from Pizza Arcade, a six-month membership to the Ellsworth High School fitness center, salon baskets valued at over $200 each, a “smut book” basket from A Love Affair Book Boutique in Red Wing, gift cards from local restaurants and more. Eastling said they will also have gift baskets geared toward men from local breweries, Wisco Dive Bar, and local artisans.
Other ways attendees can support the foundation include a 50/50 raffle, paddles, a wine pull and a bean bag toss game for a chance at a $100 bar tab.
“Last year it got super competitive once it started,” said Board Member Melissa Ryden about the bean bag game. “It’s based on their performance with a great incentive for the winner.”
Last year the event raised about $20,000. Eastling has a loftier goal in mind.
“I want to raise $50,000 this year,” she said. “And gosh darn it, I’m going to hit it.”
The ECSDF awards a $20,000 scholarship to a graduating senior each year, as well as the $1,000 grant to the Teacher of the Year (nominated by the community). EXCELL Grants are $1,000 maximum and funded the following items in 2024-25:
“We review the grant requests that come through and determine which ones align best with a sponsor,” Ryden said.
Already this school year, ECSDF has been able to provide funding for new CPR mannequins, new toys for Panther Kids Club, a 3D printer and pastry sheets for the food classes.
Both women are inspired to bring in as much money as possible in order to provide meaningful educational experiences and tools to Ellsworth students.
“To me, Taste of Tuscany is about giving our community a way to support the opportunities we want for our kids,” Ryden said. “We know tax dollars can’t cover every great program we’d like to provide for our future leaders, so the foundation helps bridge that gap. Taste of Tuscany gives people who believe in things like the arts and other enriching programs a chance to help ensure those opportunities continue through private donations. What’s especially meaningful is that the impact is immediate. Donations go right back into classrooms through grants and scholarships that benefit our students and teachers to do amazing things.”
Eastling, who joined the organization at Ryden’s urging, is motivated to keep it growing.
“Being part of the foundation is incredibly meaningful to me because it allows us to give back to the very place that shapes the next generation. Supporting our students and educators strengthens the entire community,” Eastling said. “The impact is immediate. The money we receive goes right back into the classrooms.”
Tickets for Taste of Tuscany are $50 for individual or $500 for a VIP table. You can purchase them online at www.ellsworthcommunityschoolfoundation.org
If interested in joining the board, reach out to Eastling at president@ellsworthcommunityschoolfoundation.org
“We are a small group looking for people who are passionate about helping the foundation fulfill its mission,” Eastling said. “We’re always looking for new members and volunteers.”
