LEAF | District 742 Local Education & Activities Foundation

In 2008, LEAF began a celebration for the start of the new school year by hosting the first annual Kick-Off Luncheon.  The purpose of the luncheon is to recognize our activity participants and the efforts of their coaches/advisers, as well as to welcome them back for another school year.  The students and their coaches are treated to a free lunch and drawings for valuable prizes like Vikings and Twins tickets, Activity Fee waivers, athletic punch tickets, as well as performance tickets from the Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, and GREAT Theater.

The tradition of getting the new school year off on the right foot continued. A full house was on hand at Kelly Inn for guest speaker Mark Bragelman, President and CEO of Liberty Savings Bank. Other speakers included Bruce Watkins, District 742 Superintendent of Schools, philanthropist George Torrey, Mayor Dave Kleis, LEAF President Barclay Carriar, and LEAF Executive Director Bruce Hentges. Dr. Patricia Welter served as the emcee.

Thanks To The 2010 Fall Kick-Off Luncheon Sponsors:

All Star Trophy & Awards,  Marty Heine, Owner
Benson Funeral Home,  Mark Benson, Owner
Central MN Community Foundation,  Steve Joul, Executive Director
Don Farleo Advertising & Design Company,  Don Farleo, Owner
First Fuel Banks, Jim Feneis Owner
Gold’n Plump Poultry,  Mike Helgeson, Owner
Jennings Insurance Agency,  Sandy Neutzling, Owner
Johnson, Carriar, Kruchton, Anderson & Associates,
Barclay Carriar, Partner
Rasmussen College, Jeff Frie, Admissions Director
Spanier Bus Service, Inc. & Pearl Limousine, Inc.,
Ken and Tami Spanier, Owner
St. Cloud Refrigeration, Inc., Mike Fitch, Owner
St. Cloud School of Business, Kim Plombon, Admissions Director
St. Cloud Times, Scott Johnson, President & Publisher
Viking Coca-Cola, Mike Faber, President & CEO

Speakers included Don Watkins, Retired President and CEO of Tanner Systems and St. Cloud Philanthropist, Bruce Watkins, District 742 Superintendent of Schools, philanthropist George Torrey, Mayor Dave Kleis, LEAF Vice President Rolf Jacobson, and LEAF Executive Director Bruce Hentges.  Jerry Von Korff served as the master of ceremonies.

Thanks To The 2010 Fall Kick-Off Luncheon Sponsors:

First Fuel Banks
Mike Fitch, St. Cloud Refrigeration, Inc
Mark Benson, Benson Funeral Home
Steve Joul, CMCF
Tami & Ken Spanier, Spanier Bus Service, Inc & Pearl Limousine, Inc
John Sowada, KNSI & Metro Sports Commission
Don Farleo,  Don Farleo Advertising & Design Company
Barclay Carriar, Johnson, Carriar, Kruchten, Anderson & Assoc.
Mike Faber, Viking Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Mike Helgeson/Darla Stellmach, Gold’n Plump
Sandy Neutzling, Jennings Insurance Agency
Kim Plombon, Director of Admissions, St. Cloud School of Business

2009 Kickoff Event

Speakers included Mike Faber of Viking Coca-Cola, Peter Haugen of Sherburne State Bank, philanthropist George Torrey, Mayor Dave Kleis, Superintendant of District 742 Steve Jordahl, LEAF President Barclay Carriar, and LEAF Executive Director Bruce Hentges.  Former Superintendent, Bruce Watkins served as the master of ceremonies. LEAF also announced the expansion of its mission to include a new fund: The Academic Opportunity & Enrichment Fund.

2009 Event Picture Slide Show

Thanks To The 2009 Fall Kick-Off Luncheon Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor  ($2,500+ event sponsor)
Sherburne State Bank

Donors ($100+ event sponsor)
St. Cloud Refrigeration, Inc
Benson Funeral Home
Central MN Community Foundation
Spanier Bus Service, Inc & Pearl Limousine, Inc
KNSI & Metro Sports Commission
St. Cloud Times
AdCo-Don Farleo Advertising and Design
Johnson, Carriar, Kruchten, Anderson & Associaties
Rassmussen College, Inc
Viking Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Gold'n Plump
Annonymous