Heartland Lutheran banquet raises more than $80,000

The Red and Blue Heartland Lutheran High School Banquet and Auction raised more than $80,000, far surpassing the event's goal of collecting $65,000.

Heartland Lutheran also has started another fundraiser called The 500 Plan, whose goal is to raise $500,000.

Representatives from Heartland Lutheran High School visited some of the churches that are part of the Lutheran High School Association of Central Nebraska on April 27 as part of a separate fundraising campaign called The 500 Plan.

Heartland Lutheran Principal John Weber has said the premise behind The 500 Plan is to get 500 people to donate $1,000 each to support the high school. He also has said that fundraising campaign will accept lower or greater amounts than $1,000.

Weber said The 500 Plan has raised at least $70,000 to date. He noted there are 12 churches that are members of the Heartland Lutheran High School Association of Central Nebraska.

He has said meeting the goal would allow Heartland Lutheran to hire a director to do full-time fundraising. It also would provide money for future bond payments due for the main school building, which includes classrooms, a school office and a gymnasium.

Weber said early registration at the school shows that its enrollment next year should be between 60 and 70 students. However, he also said Heartland Lutheran High School will have an open house for new and prospective students at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The final day of the school year for Heartland Lutheran is May 23.