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Each time I work with this organization, I gain a deeper appreciation for teachers, as well as for those who support, help, and thank teachers.  For teachers are individuals committed to making this community so great by educating our youth.  This year, Teachers’ Treasures vowed to Dream Big and create an absolutely spectacular event to raise funds and awareness for a great cause.  I read the following quote somewhere:  “Anything done for children is never a waste.” (Unknown)  In fact, it seems that where children and their education are concerned, people take even more pride in what they do to help out in any way they can.  It was truly an honor to document this event on a rainy evening in April at the beautiful, electrifying, vibrant Children’s Museum.  Every nook and cranny offers visual stimulation and excitement for all who enter their doors!  The evening started with a Silent Art Auction, with all art created by local students.  Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were stationed throughout the venue for guests to enjoy.  Then the Awards Presentation followed, with David Harris winning the 2012 Caring Spirit Award.  The Teacher of the Year was awarded to Debra Samples.  The awards were followed by charismatic entertainment to cap off the night’s event!  Let’s take a look, shall we?  Friends of Teachers’ Treasures can view the entire online gallery here!

For more information on Teachers’ Treasures, check out their website.  Their mission may sound simple enough, however, it takes a dedicated team with a tremendous amount of effort to reach and surpass their goals.  And I just know that Dreaming Big will accomplish just that!  Barb, thank you for letting me a small part of something so special!  Congratulations to Mr. Harris and Mrs. Samples for their fine work in making futures brighter for so many!

To see more from their amazing event, feel free to watch the Slideshow here:

Event | Teachers’ Treasures 2012 | Dream Big

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Ever since I was first asked to photograph this event, I look forward to it more and more each year!  Maybe it’s the cool venue with the fabulous view of Indianapolis… Perhaps it’s the room full of smiling, generous, caring individuals there to celebrate the same hope for all kids, for all schools, no matter their geographic area or demographic details.  For me, I think the thing that hits home with me the most is the feeling created during the event.  The feeling that people do care, that people yearn to make a difference in the lives of others.  Add the fact that I have several wonderful friends who are teachers, who live this each and every day.  It’s not always easy.  After all, life isn’t fair.  Not all students and their families can afford everything that is needed and often required by schools for their education.  Fortunately, there exists such an organization, Teachers’ Treasures, to serve however they can. What they do inspires so many others in the community – including me – to act, to volunteer, to donate, to contribute, to spread the word about what they do.  Thank you to Teachers’ Treasures for inspiring me yet again this year!

I loved their centerpieces!  They are original, colorful, and serve a purpose.  Pencils, binder clips, rulers, crayons, scissors…some of the items they are in need of and collect for classrooms each and every day. 

 Herff Jones and IPL, event sponsors, hosted a gallery of excellence and silent auction, featuring artwork by local Pike High School students. 

 I was blown away by the talent of the students!  I loved each and every piece of art on display!

 While guests arrived, they bid on these beautiful pieces as part of a silent auction.

Guests place their final bids on their favorite pieces before the silent auction comes to a close.

Teachers’ Treasures has been helping teachers and students for 10 years!  
Mr. Dave Leinart, President of Teachers’ Treasures, updates the attendees on the progress this organization has made over the past decade.  In 2010 alone, $3.2 million worth of school supplies were distributed; 10,000 hours were worked by volunteers; 6,676 teacher visits; and 234 schools were served. What a great year!

This year’s Caring Spirit Award was presented to Dr. Tony Bennett for his dedication and hard work 
in his role as Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Dr. Bennett is a great speaker.  His passion for education and standard for excellence is palpable.  He told a story about some of the school supplies used as the centerpieces.  Some schools get the most modern, technologically advanced items in their classrooms, while others still use supplies that Dr. Bennett remembers using when he was in grade school. 
A former teacher, Phyllis, was honored for her continued role in enriching the lives of students.  This award was a surprise!  Hearing her story was amazing. 

A new award was added to this year’s luncheon – Teacher of the Year.  Congratulations, Julie!  Keep up
the wonderful work that you do!

Barbara, Executive Director of Teachers’ Treasures, read aloud the recommendation letter sent to her by Julie’s principal.  She truly goes above and beyond in the classroom and in her own time to make things better for her students. 
Thank you to Herff Jones for sponsoring a wonderful awards luncheon!

Phyllis received many hugs and congratulatory remarks from colleagues and friends.

 Thank you to Barb and Teachers’ Treasures for allowing me to be a part of this fantastic day!  
For more information about Teachers’ Treasures, please visit their website.

Event: Teachers’ Treasures Caring Spirit Award Luncheon 2011

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I had the privilege to document this year’s ISAE Star Awards at the Indiana Historical Society.  What a fun evening!  And what an incredible venue!  Just like last year, the event started with a VIP cocktail hour and reception to kick off the silent auction in beautiful Eli Lilly Hall.

 

What a fantastic venue for networking! 

Then it was time for dinner, drinks, and continued bidding on silent auction items, such as Pacers tickets, hotel accommodations, local dining certificates, gift baskets, and more.  This year’s silent auction proceeds benefited the Indiana Experience, a program “designed to connect each of us with the history of our state.”

 
Once the silent auction was concluded, guests were seated in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater for the evening’s awards program and presentation.  Congratulations to all of the 2010 award winners!

A big thank you to Katie, ISAE’s Marketing & Education Coordinator, for inviting me to take part in this special event!

Event: ISAE 2010 Star Awards

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In early December, the Indiana Society of Associaton Executives asked me to photograph their event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. What an incredible venue! And what a great experience for me to shoot at such a location!

The evening started out with a privately sponsored reception. Dinner, drinks and conversation were had during the Silent Auction, where many items were on display. Bed & breakfast suite packages, Colts tickets, autographed books and art, restaurant gift certificates, yoga classes, gift baskets, and more were on display for ISAE members to bid on. All proceeds of the Silent Auction benefitted VSA arts of Indiana. Three artists demonstrated their talents during the Silent Auction as well. Thank you to Victoria Gillieron, Susan Semenick, and Jane Knight for allowing me to capture their art.

Solo Jazz Guitarist, Steve Newby, provided beautifully festive music for all in attentendance.

He is truly talented!

Jane Knight uses only her fingers to create beautiful works of art. It was amazing to watch her painting from start to finish in such detail.

City lights, cocktails, and smiling faces

Delicious desserts!

Festive table decor really set the fun, relaxed tone for the evening.

I love the lights and background frame this beautiful painting by Victoria Gillieron. Indianapolis is home to some very talented and creative souls!

These tickets were a hot item! Go Colts!

Once the Silent Auction ended, it was time for the awards.

Here are just a few of the award winners from the evening. It was clear that all of the winners have worked very hard and were very deserving of their honors. Congratulations to you all!

“ISAE exists to support and strengthen association professionals’ success. We provide the state’s leading educational and networking events designed specifically for the needs of association executives.”

“Our members provide professional leadership to Indiana’s outstanding associations. The associations include a broad variety of professions, industries, societies and social organizations. Collectively, they represent hundreds of thousands of members throughout the state, country and world.”

The Indianapolis Artsgarden at night. What a fantastic venue!

Thank you to Katie, ISAE’s Marketing & Education Coordinator, for inviting me to be a part of this event. And what a fabulous event it was!

Event: ISAE Star Awards 2009

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Last fall, I was asked to photograph an awards luncheon for Teachers’ Treasures. I admit I was a bit nervous to accept, since I was just getting into photography, but I really wanted to gain some experience. In attending this event, I was amazed at all the people who were there to learn, to celebrate, to donate, to reach out to those in need. There are children all over Indianapolis who cannot afford to buy school supplies, the very tools needed to succeed in school. The essentials, like paper, pencils, notebooks, crayons. I did not realize how great this need was. I didn’t really know much about this organization, but that all changed while I was there to capture it. I listened to the speakers, watched the student musicians playing beautiful music, and learned about Teachers’ Treasures mission to help these kids. I was inspired to give back in some way. I decided then and there to forgo any payment I was to receive for my services, and donated my time in hopes that the money would go to help as many boys and girls get the items they so desperately need to do well in school. I was fortunate enough to grow up with the supplies I needed, and for that I am very grateful. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) I was so happy to be invited back this year and do it all over again. Thanks to Judy, the Executive Assistant, for being so kind and helpful. It is truly inspirational to see such a large group gathering to honor those who make a difference, especially for children and their education. Each year, Teachers’ Treasures cheerfully recognizes someone in the community for their involvement in bettering the lives of school children. Here are just a few photos of this great event.

The Marian Inc. Ballroom graciously allows such non-profit
organizations to use their space.

A beautiful space…

With this fantastic view!

Before the event got underway, attendees could take a look at the items needed.

Globe centerpieces could be purchased, and the funds would go toward buying school supplies.
School supply kits could also be donated to the cause.

Students from several area schools provided the decorative fall leaves on each table.

While guests mingled before the luncheon, students from Arsenal Tech High provided entertainment.

There’s something about helping others that makes people happy!

MBP Catering generously gives of their services to make this a special treat.

Rich Van Wyk is the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

This young man is congratulated for helping others.

The recipient of the Caring Spirit Award for 2009! Congratulations, Mr. Bob Potts!

The keynote speaker was Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction.
His passion and enthusiasm for achieving academic excellence is so inspiring.

Teachers’ Treasures Board Members and Caring Spirit Award Winner, Mr. Bob Potts

This attendee won one of many collages, which were hand-made by local students.

Teachers’ Treasures serves 232 eligible public, parochial and private schools in Marion County!

Their Mission: “Teachers’ Treasures helps underprivileged children get the materials
they need to succeed in school by providing teachers with donated educational supplies
for use by the students in their classrooms.”

Thank you for allowing me to capture such a wonderful event! I am honored and humbled to have been present among this group of enthusiastic, community-minded, and generous citizens. If you would like to donate school supplies, volunteer, or simply learn more about this organization, please check out their website.

Event: Teachers’ Treasures Caring Spirit Awards 2009

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serving central indiana and surrounding areas