Novi Schools and Northville Unite for a Cause at Baseline Blitz
NOVI — In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Novi Educational Foundation teamed up with their long-time rival, the Northville Educational Foundation, for the inaugural “Baseline Blitz” tailgate fundraiser. This exciting event took place on October 18, just before the highly anticipated Novi-Northville football game. With a mix of fun, food, and friendly rivalry, the tailgate was a resounding success.
A Collaborative Effort
This is a unique partnership, considering the fierce rivalry that often characterizes the bond between these two schools. Kathryn Macguire, the president of the Novi Educational Foundation, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “They are rival schools, so the rivalry runs long and deep, but because we are both ‘NEF’ — Novi Educational Foundation and Northville Educational Foundation — we decided to get into the fun too.” This first-time collaboration had been in the works for a few years, and it was finally brought to life with the help of executive directors Sue Collins Schroeder and Kate Mitchell.
Activities for Everyone
The evening was packed with activities designed to engage community members of all ages. From delectable food options to games and vendors, the atmosphere was electric. One of the highlights of the event was the appearance of Roary, the Detroit Lions mascot, who brought extra excitement to the festivities.
Families had various ways to contribute, including a competitive 50/50 raffle and a donations competition through QR codes on-site. For just $25, young kids had the special opportunity to greet the football team as they entered the field. Middle and high school students were kept entertained with a football-throwing contest, where the player who scored the most baskets won a $100 gift certificate.
Silent Auction and Additional Fundraising
The tailgate was also home to a silent auction, featuring fantastic items such as a four-pack of tickets to a Detroit Lions game on Thanksgiving, complete with parking and a signed football. Community members even participated in a 5K fundraising run the weekend before to show their support. Clearly, this was more than just a football game; it was an important week for the community.
Collins-Schroeder expressed her excitement, stating, “It was a FANTASTIC week of building community within the Novi Community School District but also with our neighbors in Northville.” Macguire added that the event was a wonderful way to rally the community together, with all funds raised directed towards supporting programs for the students in both districts.
Impressive Results
While the two foundations had hoped to raise $10,000 each, the total results were groundbreaking. The Novi Educational Foundation proudly announced that they had raised over $22,000, with the two districts combining their efforts to gather a stunning total of $45,000. “While Novi fell just short of winning the challenge, raising over $22,000 for Novi is an incredible achievement,” Schroeder remarked in a letter to supporters.
Benefiting Students and Teachers
So, what do these funds go towards? The money will be used for essential programming that school districts often cannot fund through state resources, including therapy dogs, teacher grants, scholarships for underprivileged students, and educational trips like the eighth-grade journey to Washington, D.C. The organizations have funded projects such as outdoor learning spaces and hammock gardens at various elementary schools.
As Macguire assured, “All the money goes back to the students and the teachers to support their learning.” With plans already in motion for another collaborative event next year, the future looks bright for both the Novi and Northville communities.
