Janice Knight and Chip Sutton.
Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) held its 2022 Men Who Cook fundraiser at Safari Texas in February. While attendees enjoyed the musical talents of Ken Mondshine and the Brotherhood Band, everyone ate their way through the culinary creations of Lamar Consolidated Independent School District’s community and district staff.
The live auction netted over $20,000, and the silent auction helped boost the total raised at this time to more than $115,000. Since Men Who Cook is one of L.E.A.F.’s major fundraisers, its success depends on the wonderful community members who so graciously volunteer their time to prepare their favorite dishes and to the sponsors of the event.
A competition was added this year, and the attendees were given two chips to vote for their best savory and best sweet bites. The competition included 59 cooks. The winner of the Sweet Bite of the Night was Gary Vincek, and the Savory Bite of the Night winner was Tom Hebert.
During the evening, former Executive Director Janice Knight was recognized for her 20 years of leadership for L.E.A.F.
“L.E.A.F. has been hit hard by Covid-19 and having such a successful 2022 Men Who Cook draw the same excitement and enthusiasm from the community as it has in years past, bring us immense joy. Having exceeded our $100,000 goal will help the foundation return to a level of grant giving that our teachers and students deserve. We could not have done it without you!” stated Charles A. “Chip” Sutton, President of the L.E.A.F. Board of Directors.
L.E.A.F.’s Board of Directors thanks the community for their continued partnership in making a difference in the educational opportunities for the students and teachers of Lamar CISD. To donate, visit https://www.givergy.us/leafgrants or contact April Nemec at April.nemec@lcisd.org or 832.223.0334.