This year’s Inspiration Awards Dinner was a night that will be remembered for a long time.
We were inspired and humbled by the emphatic response to our annual fundraising event, where we honored a remarkable volunteer tutor for his service and three students for their achievements.
The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum was the place to be to get your limited edition Literacy Services “knowledge” (temporary) tattoo, try your steady hand at book Jenga, or pose for a selfie on a gleaming Harley motorcycle. But the spotlight was on our mission and the people who bring it to life.
John Shefchik's story of service as a tutor and volunteer starts with his passion for education. John’s former student Andrea presented him with the award through her tears of gratitude. Tiffany, Misael, and Dilshad’s stories of persistence and accomplishment rang out as reminders of why Literacy Services of Wisconsin exists and why it is still as relevant and necessary as ever. Tiffany told us how she found her motivation and determination to better herself for her children. Misael told us how he balanced working with his goal of earning his GED in English, his second language. Dilshad told us how Literacy Services of Wisconsin was her very first school. She explained that girls were not allowed to attend school in her native Pakistan; now she’s an inspiration to and advocate for women in her home village.
The presence of Milwaukee Achiever was with us, too. So many friends of both organizations, new and longstanding, came together to create a record-making event. Thanks to our successful merger, more people in Milwaukee have access to the high quality adult education they need to reach their goals just like our honorees have done.
The sold-out event raised more than $100,000 for our adult education and English Language Learning programs.
Check out our
Facebook album for more photos of our celebration. Scroll down and meet our Tutor of Inspiration in the video below. Stay tuned for videos of our Students of Inspiration in future editions of The Abacus.
Thank you to all of the sponsors, underwriters, guests, event committee members, board members, staff, auction donors, the Harley-Davidson Museum team, and the awardees for sharing their stories of inspiration. Please plan to join us next year!
