Fire and Ice Gala for Faith Academy of Marble Falls heats up as record-breaking fundraiser collects a cool $210,000 
MARBLE FALLS — Another Faith gala and another record-breaking year.
The 10th annual Fire and Ice Gala fundraiser Jan. 28 for the small Christian School is a success, according to Administrator Mark Earwood.
Though organizers are still figuring totals, they estimate the event grossed $210,000, a figure that includes $111,000 in scholarship money.
That total set a new record for scholarships, officials said. The money pays for scholarships and additional classrooms.
"I had this sense of anticipation," Earwood said Jan. 30. "This is where faith comes in. I don't believe God is limited by the economy at a time when there's so much skepticism."
The fundraiser took place in the grand ballroom of the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott hotel in Horseshoe Bay.
Chuck Woolery, the veteran television game show host and Highland Lakes resident, served as the master of ceremonies.
After the scholarship portion of the evening closed, Earwood described to the 240 guests the joy families feel when they are told scholarship money is available to help them keep their children in the academy.
"Just phenomenal," Earwood said. "That's the purpose of the gala – people helping people."
Dr. Kathy Koch of Celebrate Kids Inc. was the keynote speaker. Celebrate Kids offers strategies to help parents and teachers enhance the education and well-being of students, according to the nonprofit's website.
"I think children are worth investing in," she said. "I think a unique purpose of education is children figuring out who they are. At a school like yours, they can grow up to be who they are."
The Fire, Faith Academy's praise band, provided the entertainment. Students played an obo, keyboards, guitars and drums; Molly Marrs, Tori Roeder, Kyleah Kirby and Katy Kirby sang.
"The band was obviously getting better and better all year," Earwood said.
Guests got a glimpse of the talent at Faith, he added.
"I thought they hit it out of the park," he said.
Whatever is left from the remaining $100,000 will go to an educational building fund.
"We need three additional classrooms," the administrator said. "If we have zero growth, we have to (have the classrooms) one way or another. I don't want portables. I want to add to our existing science and technical building and keep on going."
Faith Academy has an enrollment of 235 students in grades kindergarten through 12, officials said. The school is three miles east of Marble Falls at 3151 RR 1431 East. For more, call (830) 798-1332 or visit http://www.famf.org/.
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PHOTO 1: Kim and J.D. Hansard are all smiles before the start of the 10th annual Fire and Ice Gala for Faith Academy of Marble Falls Jan. 28 at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott hotel. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro
PHOTO 2:Stuart Nunnally (left), Faith Gala Chairman Darrell Vaughn and Faith Administrator Mark Earwood welcome attendees to the Fire and Ice Gala to benefit Faith Academy of Marble Falls, which was held at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott hotel Jan. 28.
PHOTO 3: Robin (left) and Shay Brinkley enjoy looking at silent auction items during the Fire and Ice Gala Jan. 28 for Faith Academy of Marble Falls. The fundraiser provides money for scholarships and a building fund.
PHOTO 4: Kyleah Kirby (left) plays the keyboard, while J.C. Perea and Luke Herring play the guitar, and Reagan Vaughn (right) handles another keyboard during the Faith Academy of Marble Falls praise team's performance at the Fire and Ice Gala Jan. 28 to raise funds for the private Christian school.
