First YSET Grants Awarded to York High School Families

Award letters are being prepared for families selected to receive assistance with the cost of school fees and activities.

More than $50,000 donated by Elmhurst families, students, District 205 faculty, community members, nonprofit organizations and businesses is now available and will continue to be gifted as application reviews continue. 

“Our community has rallied in unprecedented ways,” York Principal Diana Smith said. “With leadership efforts by students and parents, literally hundreds have answered the call with generous donations of time, talent and treasure. This has truly been a community effort.”

Dozens of York students will see immediate relief, with many more to benefit as the review and disbursement process continues. Families who applied for grants through the were permitted to delay payments on fees due at the start of the school year until the YSET review and disbursement processes could be enacted.

“We are getting money to the students and families who need the assistance,” said Margaret Harrell, a member of the YSET Steering Committee. “Of course, special thanks to all in the District 205 and York administration who accommodated the deferred payments until the money could be disbursed.”

In the past month, donations were made by Rotary Club of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Fund. York students led presentations to these and other community groups, laying out the reasons extracurricular activities and the wide array of course choices at York make such a difference in the lives of students. York faculty members also ran a departmental challenge, netting nearly $4,000 in donations.

On Thursday, Oct. 13, Flight 112 Wine House, 112 Park Avenue, will host Ladies’ Night with Art, Wine and Food from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring special fall pumpkin-inspired foods and drinks, along with artwork by Elmhurst resident Donna Castellanos. Ten percent of food and drink sales and a portion of art sales will be donated to YSET. Tickets are not needed.

On the same day, Effigy Salon, 110 West Park, will donate 10 percent of sales on retail items, including specialty hair products.

YSET leaders also ask the community to support the Elmhurst District 205 Foundation at the annual Midnight Masquerade on Saturday, Oct. 22. 

“The foundation’s support has been critical to YSET’s success to date,” Nancy Ruprecht said. “Everyone is urged to come out and attend the upcoming Black and Orange Ball, which will feature YSET as a giving tree recipient.” 

Tickets can be purchased online.

Also, on Sunday, Oct. 30, YSET will host a Halloween Fun Run on the York High School track, St. Charles and Spring roads, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The run begins at 10:30 a.m. Event highlights include free carnival games manned by York’s National Honor Society students, a T-shirt for each entrant and a costume contest. Cost is $15; all proceeds benefit YSET. Students, parents, community members, staff and children of all ages are welcome. Registration will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, in the York High School Commons, 355 W. St. Charles Road. Participants can also register between 10 and 10:30 a.m. the day of the event.

YSET was formed earlier this summer to assist financially challenged families with course fees, book fees and extracurricular fees.  Tax deductible donations may be directed to YSET via the Elmhurst District 205 Foundation. All funds will be confidentially disseminated based on family need.  Applications may be found here. If you know of or are a family experiencing financial hardship, please e-mail accessyork@elmhurst205.org or call (630) 617-2404. For more information visit YSET on the Web.