Lincoln-Way Foundation inaugural ball drop raises nearly $10,000

The Lincoln-Way Foundation's inaugural ball drop fundraiser grossed around $10,000.

On Wednesday, members of the board joined Santa to drop 1,000 golf balls from atop an mobile aerial hoist from Altofer CAT-Joliet at the Sanctuary Golf Course.

The foundation sold over 560 golf balls, so the rest of the bucket was filled with golf balls to make the drop official.

Board Executive Director Bob Kennedy also thanked his 17 volunteer board members.

Prizes were given to closest to or in the hole for $1,000 cash; second closest for $500 cash; third closest and furthest received $200 Sanctuary Golf Course gift cards.

First prize went to Howard Stephens, second prize went to Julie Slusarski, third prize and furthest prize went to H. Richard Hagen and Brian Barrett.

If the numbered ball in the bottom of the cup — only one made it in — matched a pre-picked secret number, that person would win $10,000, but that did not occur.

"We're thankful for Sanctuary for hosting the event as well as Altofer CAT for providing the lift for Santa," Kennedy said. "It was been a really great experience."

The foundation raises money for the three schools to provide graduating seniors scholarships and donations to different curriculums in the district.

"We always watch our expenses and make sure the money is accounted for and audited," Kennedy said. "We gave $22,500 in scholarships in May and also donated $79,000 at the end of 2019 for seven different curriculums at Lincoln-Way. We've done things for the transition program in the past and bought instrument cases for the marching band."

The event was held to help offset some of the money lost from not being able to hold its other large gathering fundraisers.

"When we get money, it goes right back to help the kids, families and teachers," Kennedy said.