Uncorked and On Tap Fundraiser Event

The foundation hosts multiple fundraisers a year. The funds raised during these events allows teachers to be able to apply for grants up to $1,000.

By Sarah Shurge – Do you want to support the teachers and students of the Wayne-Westland School District? Do you enjoy drinking beer and wine? If yes, then the perfect event is happening in Wayne for you.
Friday, April 28th, at HYPE Athletics (White Rose Banquet), the Wayne-Westland Education Foundation will be hosting their second annual Uncorked and On Tap fundraiser event.
The Wayne-Westland Foundation for the Improvement of Instruction was created in 1980 for the welfare and benefit of the students in the Wayne-Westland Community School District.
“It’s [the foundation] been quiet for so long, I feel like we’re reinventing ourselves. I want it to be recognized in the community,” said Brandi Smith, Executive Director of Wayne-Westland Education Foundation. “I want the kids of Wayne-Westland to have the same education as those in other places.”
How does the foundation achieve its mission?
“Our goal and purpose is to raise as much money as we can to provide these kids with experiences they might not have otherwise,” said Smith. “Money matters when it comes to education. There’s not enough of it to go around. This is a way to supplement that.”
The foundation hosts multiple fundraisers a year. The funds raised during these events allows teachers to be able to apply for grants up to $1,000. This money is used for educational purposes to advance educational experience for students.
“This is so teachers don’t have to spend their own money because funding isn’t there,” said Smith. “I’ve always been a big advocate of teachers, trying to help in the classrooms and volunteer at events. I would do anything to support teachers and this is another extension of that.”
Smith grew up in Westland, and both her and her husband graduated from John Glenn High School. They have three children, who also attended Wayne-Westland Schools.
“My brother is on the board for the foundation and he thought I would be a good fit for it. I’ve done a lot of fundraising for schools and I really wanted to give back to the community I grew up in,” said Smith.
Smith joined the Wayne-Westland Education Foundation in January 2023 and is the coordinator of the Uncorked and On Tap fundraiser event.
The event will have music, beer, wine, auction, and food. Pizza will be available at the end of the night, thanks to a donation from Little Caesars.
The event will start at 5 p.m. with $50 VIP tickets (5 – 8 p.m.). $40 general tickets start an hour later (6 – 8 p.m.).
Uncorked and On Tap event prizes are as follows: Two JBL wireless speakers, family portrait session with Leslie Patterson Photography, four Detroit Tigers tickets with parking, overnight stay at Motor City Casino, spa certificate for Motor City Casino, gift certificate for Top Golf, gift certificate for Detroit Handlebar pedal pub, gift certificate for b.bare laser hair removal, gift certificate for BeautiSpot Aesthetics & Wellness Med Spa, basket from Rae Soap Company, multiple restaurant gift cards, and multiple raffle baskets as well.
To purchase tickets, you can contact Smith by email at wwfoundation@wwcsd.net or phone at (734)560-6612.
Tickets are available until they sell out.
If you’d like to donate to the foundation, you can by visiting the website at wwcsfoundation.org and clicking the “donate” button.
The foundation is still looking for local businesses that want to sponsor or provide donations to the auction. They are also looking for volunteers for the event.
Current sponsors for the event are: Community Financial Credit Union (the title sponsor), McCarthy & Smith Inc., Campbell Inc., Serta Restokraft Mattress Co Inc., Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union, Jack Demmer Ford, TMP Architecture Inc., Communication by Design, MEA, Wayne County Community College, Michigan Educational Credit Union, Schoolcraft College, Little Caesars Pizza @ Howe and Annapolis, and Champions.
“I want this year’s event to be better than last year, and I want next year’s to be better than this year,” said Smith.” I really want to make a difference in our community.”
The current Wayne-Westland Education Foundation board members are: Scott Buie, Carol Middel, Tom Buckalew, Tonya Karpinski, Maria Mitter, Ali Sayed, Kimberly May, Chanda Cleaves, John Dignan, Kim Markey, John Rhasea, Sheila Wofford, and Kristen Brickey.
For more information about the Wayne-Westland Education Foundation, visit wwcsfoundation.org.