Mishawaka Education Foundation hosts "drive thru" gala

MISHAWAKA, Ind.--- The Mishawaka Education Foundation held its annual gala on Thursday at the St. Joseph County Event Center. The gala was a "drive thru" event where guest could bid on silent auction items, make donations, and receive a meal without ever leaving their cars.

"Normally we’d be all inside the ballroom together having a wonderful meal and enjoying each other," said Matt Brown, Coordinator of Fine Arts for the School City of Mishawaka. "Unfortunately we can’t do that this year but we’re making the most of it."

The gala is the biggest fundraiser for the School City of Mishawaka. 

Some of the Mishawaka Foundation's recent initiatives includes raising more than $34,000 to upgrade the LED lighting at Mishawaka High School's auditorium. 

"It was very costly and our school budget didn’t have enough to do it and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for us and it’s awesome to see all the people here," said Kylie Blake, a senior at Mishawaka High School.

For student's like Blake, Thursday's gala was a way to see first hand the amount of support the community has for Mishawaka schools.

"We’re not in this alone," said Blake. "We’re a community and we’re together as one Mishawaka."