Several individuals and businesses have found creative ways to raise money for the Foundation. We always welcome more ideas – let's keep the momentum going!

Some of the FUNdraisers created include:

• Driving Donations
  In 2007, Doug Erickson and his team from Hastings Ford and Hastings Chrysler held an "off-site" sale at the parking lot of Westview Center. With every vehicle sold, $50 was donated to the Foundation. At the end of the sale, Doug and his crew presented the Foundation with a $5,000 check! In a Letter to the Editor that appeared in the Hastings Star Gazette Doug wrote, "History suggests the definition of marketplace is the coming together of government, education and business. In this case I truly believe that is what happened. I can honestly say it is a lot of fun to own a business in a community that comes together to help with the success of its marketplace."
  
  
• Cruise 4UR Schools: Take a Ride and Show Your Pride in Hastings Public Schools
  In 2008, Doug and his team are doing it again. Doug Erickson and Hastings Automotive are partnering with the Ford Motor Company on August 27-28, 2008 for a Cruise 4UR School event. For every family that test drives a Ford vehicle at Hastings Automotive over the two-day event, the Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the Foundation – up to $6,000!
  
  
• Garden Tours
  After hosting a fundraiser for the Hastings Public Schools Foundation supporters in their own gardens in 2005, Lucy Hoffman, Sue Mollick, Linda Sommers, Wendy Loomis and Karen Egeberg decided to plan a similar event for the summer of 2008. These avid gardeners found five stunning gardens and persuaded their owners to put their masterpieces on tour. Caturia, Deitner, Glade, Sigtermans and Mollick Gardens were opened for view to HPSF supporters. Every visitor raved about each of the beautiful gardens. A minimum donation of $20 per person was collected. All proceeds went to benefit the Foundation.
  
  
• Game Night
  The community of Hastings treasures its high school sports field, which sits in the heart of our town. On game nights, the excitement from the field generates community spirit as we drive and walk by the field. In order to continue to celebrate our young athletes' successes, watch graduates receive diplomas, and smile as we recall decades of events at Todd Field, a group of community supporters contacted HPSF to facilitate their fundraising efforts to enhance the stadium. Today, because of their help, McNamara Stadium at Todd Field boasts modern bleachers, enhanced handicapped access, increased seating and well-used team rooms from which Hastings Raider teams charge out onto the field. HPSF was proud to be a part of the efforts of these generous donors.
  
  
• Adopt-a-Team
  John Poepl, President of Vermillion Bank came up with an innovative idea for donating to the HPSF and pledged funds for each point scored by the boys' varsity football team. Pat Regan, vice chair of Premier Banks Minnesota, and Casey Regan, president of Premier Bank, Hastings, were inspired to follow suit by pledging funds based on varsity hockey goals scored. Since there is a proven link between extracurricular activities and academic performance, the Foundation was thrilled community members chose to reward our hard-working students by using this Adopt-a-Team concept. The creative ideas put forth by our donors give us even more reason to cheer – as students strive to reach their athletic goals, every point also serves to raise funds for creative educational programs.
  
  
• Sweet Reward
  When the rest of Hastings was trying to find air conditioned buildings in the heat of July 2007, Patty Zuzek-Ryman decided she would rather stay outside and sell Schwan's ice cream to Rivertown Days' attendees with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation. Patty found a team of willing volunteers to help in this endeavor and ice cream was served with smiles throughout Rivertown Days.
  
  
• Kids Day America
  Bethanie Schatz and her staff at Power Within Chiropractic hosted a Kids Day America event in late 2007. The day was dedicated to children's health, safety and environmental awareness in the Hastings community. Information on crime prevention, child safety and environmental issues was provided to all attendees. Free fingerprinting kits were available to all the children, courtesy of the Hastings Police Department. Power Within Chiropractic performed free health screenings and distributed information on disease prevention and health promotion. All proceeds from the event benefitted HPSF. Power Within Chiropractic plans to host the event again in 2008.

If you have a creative FUNdraising idea, contact the Foundation.