The chips were down, but the spirits were high at Main Street Plaza on Saturday night as the St. Clair community went “all in” for its students. The 10th Annual St. Clair GIFTS (Growing Investments for Today’s Students) Gathering transformed the venue into a high-stakes Casino Royale setting, celebrating a decade of academic investment with an all-time high attendance of over 170 supporters.
While the evening was draped in the glamour of finest duds and tuxedo-themed decor, the mission remained grounded in local education. Unlike traditional athletic boosters, the GIFTS Foundation focuses its efforts on the classroom, providing scholarships, academic grants, and aid for non-athletic extracurriculars.
This past year alone, GIFTS returned over $164,000 to the schools, including $28,500 in scholarships and over $28,000 in teacher-requested grants. Recent grants have funded everything from Magnatiles for kindergartners and a STEM field trip for 5th graders to new instruments for the band and ground speakers for the theater department.
The atmosphere was electric as guests tested their luck at professional-grade craps, roulette, and blackjack tables provided by Steve and Marissa Ridler with professional dealers who helped bring some Vegas flair. The high-end evening was complemented by a surf-and-turf dinner of parmesan-crusted chicken and grilled steak, served by members of the St. Clair Class of 2026. Catering was provided by Infinity, with signature cupcakes from Gustavus for dessert.
Generosity from the Cyclone community was on full display during the live and silent auctions. While some guests lost a fortune in play money at the tables, the real currency was flowing toward the foundation’s coffers.
A party bus rental sparked a bidding war, eventually selling for $1,400, while a cooler of premium spirits went for $1,200. St. Clair Mayor More’s handcrafted birdhouse—an elegant annual staple—fetched a solid $300. Local Flavor: Other high-priority items included a private dinner for six by Chef Jennifer Palmer ($950) and a one-night stay at the Konsbruck Hotel.
The silent auction featured over 40 items, ranging from “Christmas Crack” baked goods to unique handmade art, including colorful glass Cyclone signs by Sarah Brekke and metallic yard statues—a snail and a dog—welded by Randy Johnson (no, not that Randy Johnson).
With a decade of giving now in the books, the St. Clair GIFTS Foundation proved Saturday night that when a community bets on its kids, everyone wins.
