Annual Breakfast Draws Record Crowd

 

Nearly 900 friends and supporters of Yellowstone Academy attended the 2009 fundraising breakfast at the Westin Galleria on Wednesday, October 7. This annual event supports the ongoing work of the Academy and its students.

Underwritten by Ginny and Ron Nixon, Carol and Frank Gruen, the Todd Brock Family Foundation, Midway Foundation, and Avalon Advisors, the breakfast raised significant funds in spite of a challenging economy, and introduced over 200 new individuals to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Board Chairman Les Csorba welcomed guests and introduced Yellowstone Academy Boy Scout Troop #255, who led the pledge to the American flag. Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor of Chapelwood United Methodist offered the invocation. The Yellowstone Academy Singers, led by Kiana Day and accompanied by Rev. Russell Thompson of City of Refuge Church, entertained guests with a medley of songs including “This Little Light of Mine,” “Lean on Me,” and “Oh Happy Day.”

Featured speakers for the event were Yellowstone Academy Advisory Board Member Charlie Ward, and Yellowstone Executive Director Kim Hansen and Director of Education Diane Van Zandt. Ward, a Heisman Trophy winner and former NBA basketball player, spoke of his involvement at Yellowstone and his appreciation for the school’s mission. A familiar face at Yellowstone, Ward has hosted Yellowstone students at his summer basketball camp. Hansen and Van Zandt spoke of the many challenges faced by Yellowstone students, and the importance of Yellowstone Academy in helping them break the cycle of poverty and build lives of achievement and success.

The event concluded with a rousing rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly” by Russell Thompson and the Yellowstone Academy Singers and a heartfelt thanks to all in attendance from Yellowstone founder David Lumpkins.  Yellowstone offers special thanks to the talented event committee chaired by Claudia and Brad Freels: Sarah Barrasa, Pat Berry, Kiana Day, Dana Harms, Callie Holland, Pam Jesse, Cynthia Liveris, Kristi Lumpkins, Sandra Porter, Carla Reyna, Cheryl Simmons, Kim Strange, Shana Wood and Julie Wilhite.