CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The Champaign Parks Foundation is hosting a fundraising event for the Champaign Park District’s Scholarship Fund.
The 2024 Ties & Tennies Gala will take place on Thursday, September 12, at the I Hotel.
For Ties & Tennies, dress for a classy night on the town but pair your outfit with your favorite sneakers. The event will feature complimentary wine and beer, plated dinner, and live and silent auctions. Guests will hear from a Featured Speaker: Team USA discus athlete and Illini Hall of Famer, Gia Lewis-Smallwood.
Gia Lewis-Smallwood grew up in Champaign near Centennial Park. She attended Centennial High School and the University of Illinois, where she was an accomplished, record-breaking women’s track & field athlete. She continued her athletic career on Team USA, where she placed in several World Championships and competed in the qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics.
“Participating in Champaign Park District programs growing up was instrumental in my dream of becoming a professional athlete,” said Lewis-Smallwood. “Whether I was taking ballet classes or running with peers in the parks, every activity bolstered my confidence and helped shape my future career and ambitions.”
Proceeds from the event will go to the Champaign Park District’s Scholarship Fund, which is designed to provide financial support to Champaign community members to participate in parks and rec programs.
Last year, Ties & Tennies raised $50,000. This year, the Champaign Parks Foundation aims to double that amount.
Tickets for the event are on sale now. To purchase, click HERE.
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