The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) is thrilled to announce that it raised a record $150,000 during its 37th Annual Lakewood Home Festival, which was held Nov 8-10. The funds were disbursed during the March 6 LECPTA board meeting. The board allocated $95,000 to Lakewood Elementary School, $40,000 to J.L. Long Middle School and $15,000 to Woodrow Wilson High School.
Hosted by the LECPTA, the Lakewood Home Festival is a community-wide event that raises funds for the three schools to cover expenses that are not provided by Dallas Independent School District (DISD). The funds directly benefit students through the purchase of school materials, equipment, computers, and enrichment programs. Attended by more than 4,000 patrons annually, the Lakewood Home Festival has raised more than $1 million for local schools since 1976.
In addition to touring a diverse selection of inspiring Lakewood homes throughout the weekend, visitors to the Lakewood Home Festival can shop items from local artists and businesses at the Market located inside Lakewood Elementary School, get a bite to eat at the market’s Café, or attend the highly anticipated auction party. The auction party generates a significant portion of the funds raised, in part through ticket sales, and also via silent and live auctions. Local businesses donate a staggering array of offerings to fit every budget. The most substantial funds are provided by Lakewood Home Festival underwriters and sponsors, and remaining funds are generated from home-tour ticket sales and market vendors.
Festival Underwriters and Sponsors
The 2013 Festival Underwriters, which provided significant financial support for the event, were Advocate Magazine, Comerica Bank, and Tom Thumb supermarket. Additional business sponsors included Dave Perry-Miller & Associates (auction-party sponsor) and Nancy Johnson Real Estate Group (candlelight-tour sponsor).