Since its formation in 2011, the Canadian Education Foundation (CEF) has been dedicated to enriching the educational experiences of students and teachers—from the first blush of kindergarten to the final ceremonial caps and gowns of graduation day.

Now in its eighth year, CEF is renewing that commitment and reinvigorating its community outreach with plans for its firstever Night Under the Stars Gala, from 6-10 pm next Saturday, Aug. 30, at The Citadelle Art Museum. The gala will feature good food, fine entertainment, and a bit of a lively auctioneering—all in service to the cause of educating Canadian’s youth.

The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Chet Garner, the creator, host, and executive producer of The Daytripper (http://thedaytripper.com), a Texas travel show airing on PBS stations across the country.

Born in Comanche and raised in Port Neches, Chet’s love for storytelling began at a young age around the Boy Scout campfire, and toting around his grandfather’s VHS video camera staging elaborate productions in his backyard. Chet earned a degree in radio-television-film from the University of Texas at Austin and went on to graduate first in his class from Baylor Law School. However, after practicing law for three years, he decided to follow his passions, and simultaneously inspire folks to appreciate the beauty, history, and food of the Lone Star State.

As the evening’s featured speaker, Chet will share his deep love for Texas, along with stories from the road that he’s gathered while making his Emmy-award-winning program over the past 10 years. If you weren’t proud to be a Texan when you walked in, you will be when you leave.

Canyon ISD Athletic Director Toby Tucker will emcee the gala. In addition to education, Toby and his family are actively involved in sports as owners of the professional arena-football team, the Amarillo Venom. He and wife, Stephanie, are also owners of the FC Amarillo Bombers, West Texas Rumbleweeds, Lubbock Renegades, and the Fallstown Flyers out of Wichita Falls—all new arena soccer teams in Texas.

Toby is also a strong advocate for the outdoors, and was formerly the featured outdoors writer for the Amarillo Globe News, and had a weekly hunting segment called Fat Boy Outdoors on Channel 7 for years.

Both silent and live auctions will be held during the evening. Among the items to be auctioned off are professional sports packages, family fun packages at area event centers, hunting excursions, and much more.

The philanthropic, nonprofit CEF was launched in 2011, by a group of dedicated citizens and grateful alumni, with the goal of supporting and expanding educational opportunities at Canadian ISD. The funds it disseminates have helped make possible opportunities that are not otherwise available, due to limited school budgets and declining state funding.

Since its inception, the CEF has sponsored thousands of dollars in grants to support a variety of educational programming and innovative teaching projects, AIMS testing for CHS juniors, and academic excellence scholarships for graduating seniors. Last May, the foundation presented its first Teacher Passion Award, in tribute to longtime Canadian educator Pam Spencer.

In addition, the foundation has outfitted elementary students with backpacks and Willie the Wildcat t-shirts, as well as welcoming teachers back to school with gifts, like water mugs and Wildcat blankets.

The foundation also funds Window on a Wider World, an arts enrichment program for kindergarten through fifth-graders, and reimburses seniors $150 for successful completion of one dual-credit course. Each year, CEF also spearheads homecoming tailgate parties and the Wildcat Honor Teams.

Tickets to Saturday evening’s gala fundraiser are still available for $100 per ticket and may be ordered online at canadianedfoundation.com.

Contributions and memorials are always welcome, and may be mailed to Canadian Education Foundation, PO Box 438 Canadian, TX 79014. To learn more about the foundation, call 806.323.8637, or email canadiantx@canadianedfoundation.com.

Gala committee members include Ryan Cook, Heath Mitchell, Courtney (Krehbiel) Trolinger, Becky Wilson, David Calabrese, Lawana Pulliam, Cheryl Hohertz, Haley (Rader) Ward, and Kyle Lynch.