L.E.A.F. Serves Up Men Who Cook Feb. 18

Teachers want to provide students with enriching experiences, but school district budgets can’t always cover them. For Lamar CISD teachers, that’s where the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) and their biggest fundraiser, Men Who Cook, come in.

Men Who Cook is a gala event featuring “celebrity” chefs cooking up special dishes for attendees. The evening also includes live music and a silent auction. Last year, 59 chefs helped raise more than $115,000 for L.E.A.F. This year’s event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Safari Texas. 

Established in 2000 to benefit the students of Lamar CISD, L.E.A.F. is a nonprofit organization that provides funds beyond the normal operating budget for educational programs and activities for students and staff. 

The money raised by Men Who Cook helps fund the innovative projects submitted by teachers and staff over the summer. In January, the “Grant Express” — composed of district administrators, community partners, and L.E.A.F. board members — traveled throughout the district by bus to surprise teachers in their classrooms with checks. 

This year, the Express, surprised 80 LCISD teachers and staff with $205,327 in classroom innovation grants, including cultural immersion activities and science dissection stations. 

Over the past 23 years, Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) has raised more than $4.7 million to fund teacher grants and district-level programming such as Camp Connect, Girls on the Run, STEAM Camp, scholarships, Special Needs Prom, New Teacher Dinner, and Family Connect initiatives. 

Jordan Ranch is proud that our young residents benefit from such an innovative program!