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FEEF Beginning 21st Year of Supporting Arts and Sciences in Fairhope Schools
Now beginning its 21st year, the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF), promotes innovative and creative learning for Fairhope public school students. The Pelican’s Nest Science Lab, FEEF’s signature project, continues to offer marine biology education for Baldwin County students in grades K-5. With the community’s generous donations, FEEF was also instrumental in the construction of Fairhope High School’s Black Box Theatre, a performing arts space giving high schools students a place to hone their acting skills or perform a jazz ensemble. The theatre also provides a place for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) to bring its artist in residence program to Fairhope. In partnership with FEEF, ASF plays to more than 1,200 Baldwin County public school students annually and will return to the stage in March 2018. The majority of FEEF’s programs are funded through support from local individuals and corporations. “FEEF is a non-profit organization full of volunteers committed to enriching educational opportunities for Fairhope public school children,” said FEEF President Amy Foley. “We are committed to continuing our partnership with Fairhope educators and hope that the entire community will join our efforts. FEEF supporters understand excellent schools add to the quality of life in our community.” On any given day in Fairhope’s five schools, visitors might find engineering students building a moon buggy, future fashion designers creating garments from industrial materials, middle school teens strumming guitars, goggle-clad young scientists dissecting starfish, or Fairhope’s youngest students applying lines, angles, and circles in an art class. These programs are just a few examples of how FEEF, partners with the community, to provide Fairhope students innovative and engaging programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. FEEF holds two annual community-wide fundraisers each year, Phantasy and its Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament, which help the 20-member FEEF Board of Directors engage the community and gather the dollars necessary to support these educational programs. FEEF’s Phantasy is an annual community-wide event held each fall in downtown Fairhope. This year the event committee will present “Phantasy – An Evening in the Big Easy” on October 7, 2017. The night will include The Blackwater Brass funk jazz band, Keys 2 the City dueling pianos, southern Cajun cuisine and special features from local art, music and theatre students. Tickets will go on sale August 21, at $100 per ticket and sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals. FEEF’s Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament will be held in spring 2018 at Quail Creek Golf Course and promises to continue the tradition of a great day of golf. “Between An Evening in the Big Easy and a long tradition on the green, we guarantee both Phantasy and Golf will offer entertaining opportunities for parents, teachers, and businesses to support our local schools,” Foley said. To learn more about FEEF’s programs, how you can become involved, or to be an event sponsor, visit feefonline.org, email info@feefonline.org or call Executive Director of Development Linda Crowell at 251-990-3333. Pictured, Fairhope Elementary students explore sea life on a trip to Mobile Bay with the Pelican’s Nest Science Lab.
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