The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament. Photo: Kemmetmueller Photography
White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) has played a vital role in supporting area educators, families and students. This year, the foundation has officially surpassed $3 million in total distributions since its inception in 1993.
As an independent nonprofit that supports ISD 624, WBLAEF (wblaef.org) goes beyond traditional school funding to meet needs that might otherwise go unmet. Along with scholarships and grants, initiatives like The Angel Fund assist qualifying families in the school district with costs such as baby supplies, emergency needs, household items and other basic needs. This fund also supports The Closet, a dedicated space for district families to shop for free clothing. It served over 180 families last year. Other programs provide financial assistance with driver’s ed classes, school-sanctioned travel and sports fees. “We’re not able to do this without community support,” says Lori Arnold, WBLAEF executive director.
The organization’s primary fundraising events include a golf tournament in early summer and a breakfast in the winter. These events help raise critical funds to support WBLAEF’s mission and strengthen community connections. “We are a village, and we are strong because of that,” Arnold says.
