HASTINGS, Neb. - The Hastings Public Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising night is coming up next Tuesday at the Hastings City Auditorium.  The theme of this year’s HOOPLA is all about sports, since there are so many basketball events that happen at this time of year. 

This is the 5th year that the HPS Foundation is raising dollars with their event night. There will be over 40 silent auction items and opportunities donated by local businesses. Two big live auctions are for a private concert by the Talbot Brothers and a NCAA Midwest Regional travel package.

HPS Foundation Executive Director Craig Kautz says their goal is to bring the best education experience to Hastings students.

“Our vision is to relentlessly expand the possible. And what we’re trying to do is just provide our kids with as many opportunities as what other schools provide without private dollars," Kautz said. "We really do have kids that are going to compete eventually with those from Omaha, Lincoln, New York City, and Los Angeles. So we want to get our kids as prepared as we can and to provide them with as many opportunities as possible.”

The foundation helps with the food scarcity among students through a food pantry, scholarships, grants to help with innovative teacher ideas, and recent sound and lighting upgrades at the Senior High auditorium.

Tickets are $75 for an individual or a corporate table of 10 for $1,000. Tickets must be purchased by March 9th. More information is available at https://hastingspublicschools.org/foundation/ or by calling 402-461-7567.