Please save the date:
The Gala 2024 will be held on Friday November 8, 2024!

Join us for our annual Betting on Bright Futures gala on November 8th, 2024 at 20 Monroe Live downtown Grand Rapids.

We’re excited to welcome you for an evening of celebration and fundraising to support Forest Hills Public Schools. We are so grateful that you are joining us in our mission to support all learners and educators in FHPS!

Event Details:

When: November 8th, 2024 from 6-10pm

Where: 20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Theme: Casino night — a fun night in Fabulous Forest Hills supports the highest needs throughout FHPS. Dress code is cocktail to formal attire with a Vegas twist.

What to Expect: Join us for a strolling dinner, cocktails, casino gaming, raffles, a virtual paddle raise, and much more to make an impact in classrooms across the district! Mingle with district leaders like Superintendent Ben Kirby, and connect with other Forest Hills parents and community leaders.

Deadline: Purchase tickets by October 25th to reserve your seats — But don’t delay! The event is nearly at capacity.

While event sponsorships have SOLD OUT, we welcome you to join us! Tickets for groups of any size are still available.

1.)

Purchase a ticket (or many!) to attend!

2.)

Make a Gift

Support the cause!

We Hope to See You at the Event!

If you are already a Yearlong Educational Sponsor of the FHPS Foundation, please register for the event at the link below.

YES Registration

Event FAQ

Event Information

November 8th from 6pm to 10pm.

20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The dress code for the evening is cocktail to formal attire with a Vegas twist. A Vegas twist is bright colors, feathers, sequins, loud prints – anything you might wear out on the town in Fabulous Las Vegas!

6pm: Registration begins, cocktail hour
7pm: Program presented by the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation
7:30pm: Strolling dinner and casino gaming begins
Throughout the evening: A virtual paddle raise will be going on via ClickBid to raise money for our schools greatest needs. We ask that all attendees register for the event via ClickBid ahead of time to participate.
9:30pm: Gaming ends and the Final Bet Bonus begins – the last donor to make a gift of at least $100 will win the ultimate family night out - a suite at VanAndel Arena for any Griffins Game or Monster Jam Event, donated by Treadstone Mortgage.

Casino Gaming

Every guest will receive a voucher upon entry to redeem for casino chips, which can be used at our casino tables for games like Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, and more.

While there is no real money exchanged during the casino games, additional chips will be available for purchase at the registration table if you lose it all, but would like to keep playing.
When you’re done playing, your dealer will exchange every $100 in casino chips for one raffle ticket into the school swag raffle of your choice.

If gaming isn’t your thing, your voucher can still be redeemed for one raffle ticket at the registration table or any gaming table.

How to Give

We are asking all guests to register for the event via ClickBid. ClickBid is an online auction platform that allows guests to participate in our virtual paddle raise and final bet bonus fundraising activities. You MUST register a name, address, cell phone number, and credit card prior to or at the event.

If you’d prefer to make your gift via cash or a check, you are more than welcome to do so at the registration table at any point in the evening. Our volunteers will be there to assist!

At the end of the evening, we’d like to give everyone the opportunity to win big. Thanks to Treadstone Mortgage, the last donor to make a gift of $100 or more will win a FREE suite at the Van Andel for the ultimate kids / family night out. Your group of up to 16 people can have tickets to your choice of a regular season Griffins Hockey Game or Monster Jam event (further details to be provided to the winner).
The Final Bet Bonus will take place after gaming tables have closed, from 9:40-10pm.

Parking

Pay to park options are available at the Monroe Center Ramp, located at 50 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Limited street parking is also available in the area, and is free of charge after 6pm on Friday.

Food & Beverage

We are having a strolling dinner, meaning you can visit different stations with a variety of dining options. Catered by Martha’s Catering, there is sure to be an option for you!

There will be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
If you have any other dietary restrictions, please let the Foundation know at imickelsen@fhps.net.