It's a New Year

We have entered 2018 with high hopes and expectations for growth and improvement of the Galion Alumni Association. This letter is intended to update both Alumni Association members and non-members alike. The results of the efforts of the Galion Alumni Association during 2017 will be presented as well as our goals for the future.  All projects are being accomplished in large part through memberships, which allow us to contribute financially and physically to alumni activities involving the Galion City Schools and the Galion Community.   We hope that you will consider continuing as a member of the Galion Alumni Association. 

 In 2017, there were 147 dues paying members, of which 82 are Lifetime Members.  This year, three   members chose the Lifetime Membership option and we thank them for their dedication to the Association.   Most of our annual members are individuals or couples that maintain their memberships year after year.  We would like to encourage those members that are local to participate by attending the monthly meetings and becoming a member of the Board of Directors or participating in the activities of the Alumni Association.  There is always the opportunity for all to relay suggestions for activities that would appeal to you.  Alumni Association information and activity updates may be found either on the Galion Alumni Association website or Facebook page.

During 2017, the Galion Alumni Association continued to pursue opportunities to aid in building a better school system and community.  We have been involved in providing funds for small projects that benefit current students and recognize the contributions of Galion Graduates.  Some of those efforts are covered below.

Galion Alumni Association

2017 In Review

 The Alumni Association held two fund raisers during 2017.  A Wine Tasting and Silent Auction was held on September 9^th  at the Contemporary Artspace facility on Harding Way West from 7 to 9 pm.  The wines offered were provided by Fox Winery and featured wines produced in Galion.  After the event, guests were invited to retire to the 1803 Taproom, a purveyor of craft beers.  Attendance was light, but those that attended had an enjoyable time.  A total of $325.37 was cleared though most of that total was through donations.   The other fund raiser was the 300 Club Ticket sales which resulted in the best results (295 of 300 tickets sold), since the Alumni Association reinstated the drawing.  For those not familiar with the 300 Club Ticket, it involves the sale of 300 tickets at $20.00 each.  At each home game in both football and basketball, two tickets are drawn to determine winners of $100.00 each.   Those tickets are then returned to the container and are eligible to be drawn in the future.  Anyone wishing to help with the sale of the 300 Club Tickets please contact us.  Total income from all sources including the membership dues, 300 Club Ticket sales, donations, commemorative coin sales and account interest amounted to $10,089.13, a sizeable increase over 2017.  Non-monetary donations were also received.

Cash donations to the Galion City School System $3000.00 for a Connections Weekend Sponsorship package.  Money was also spent to promote the Association through an ad ($100.00) in the Drama Department program. Expense Items this year included $62.00 for Post Office Box fees and postage and $75.00 to maintain our Chamber of Commerce Membership, $2573.00 for 300 Club drawing winners and ticket printing costs.  The expenses involved in the Wine Tasting event were $1483.30. Total expenses came to $7,293.30

 The Galion Alumni Association is once again, a participating member of the Connections Weekend Committee.    This Committee is responsible for the production of the Galion Connections Weekend which will be held October 11 – 13, 2018.  This weekend features a Thursday, Homecoming Bonfire (Weather permitting), Friday, Career Day for Middle School students and the Homecoming Game in the evening. Saturday features a Kiwanis sponsored Pancake Breakfast, and the Hall of Fame Banquet.  The Alumni Association plays a large role in the Hall of Fame event and encourages the submission of nominations for Galion High School graduates that deserve recognition.  Nominations for the 2018 Hall of fame inductees are due by June 1, 2018.  All of Connections Weekend events are open to the public and are not restricted strictly to Alumni.

The Connections Weekend is intended to serve as a fund raising vehicle to provide funds for building an Auditorium or Performing Arts Center on the Galion City Schools Campus.  This is an extremely ambitious undertaking as this will be a multi-million dollar project and will require some large donors to step forward.  There are other smaller projects that are being pursued this and every year.

 You are encouraged to visit the Galion Alumni Association Facebook  or  the Galion Alumni Association website.  Anyone wishing to contact us with ideas may do so, by using the Contact Us menu item on the Galion Alumni Association website, or leave a posting on Facebook.  You may write us a letter and send it to us at PO Box 22, Galion, OH  44833. The Alumni Association Board generally meets the third Monday of every month unless there is a cancellation or rescheduling. The meetings are currently being held at Ralphies in Galion usually at 6:30 p.m. All who wish to participate are cordially invited to attend.

 Galion Alumni Association Board

 Brian Treisch – President           Joe Kleinknecht – Vice President 

 Steve Melchior – Treasurer         Bill Durtschi – Secretary 

 Karen Flowers                            Sarah Wegesin

 Andee Wildenthaler                    Julie Boles

 Megan Frazier