The Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund annual fundraiser raised over $100,000 last month.
“We met our goals and donations are still coming in,” said Larry Fleis, chairperson of the event and treasurer of the Fleis Education Fund. “A big thank you goes out to our growing community of supporters and volunteers who helped by bidding, donating money and auction items, and sponsoring the event.”
About 260 silent auction items were donated. Top auction items sold included trips to Portugal, Florida, and Lake Leelanau. Many sport items and football, basketball, hockey and baseball tickets to Detroit Lions, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Whitecaps were auctioned.
Home essentials like artwork and kitchen items and shop tools were also auctioned along with items for the kids and family like kayaking, tubing, and other outdoor adventures. Other auctioned items featured casino packages, food items, beverage baskets, and gift cards. “We just can’t say enough thanks to the supporters of our scholarship fundraising event,” said Ted Fleis, president of the Fleis Education Fund. “We’re very excited to continue growing the dollar amount and number of scholarships for students in financial need.”
In 2023, the fund distributed $90,000 in scholarships for students with Leelanau County lineage. Since 2006, $667,000 in scholarships were distributed by the Endowment Fund.
“We are very proud of where the scholarship program is heading and grateful for the community support,” Larry Fleis added.
The Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The fund began in 1994 with $56 from a 50-50 raffle. Go to www. fleiseducationfund.org for further information.
