THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION RELEASE
ABOVE: Stephanie Yates, South View PE teacher Kimberlyn Youhas and Bob Richard with South View students
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Danville Public School Foundation hosted its 17th Annual 365 Club Breakfast, welcoming over 150 guests- including donors, students and District 118 staff- to Turtle Run for a morning of celebration and community impact.
The event began with breakfast followed by a brief program highlighting three of the 27 projects funded by the foundation over the past year. Board President Curt Ellis opened the program with an introduction of the Board of Directors.
(1st Picture) Bob Richard receives plaque for serving 16 years as DPSF Executive Director. (2nd Picture) Guests at 365 Club Breakfast.
Executive Director Stephanie Yates thanked event sponsors—The Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation, Earthrise Energy, Iroquois Federal Foundation, OSF Healthcare, EnvirOx, and Saltgrass Steakhouse—for making the event possible, and provided an update on foundation activities.
Curt Ellis was recognized for his nine years of service as Board President and his continued dedication as a DPSF board member since 2007. Bob Richard, who retired as Executive Director this fiscal year, was honored with a plaque and will be recognized on the donor wall at Danville High School.
(1st Picture) Meade Park music teacher Kahlar Drews with student. (2nd Picture) Current DPSF Executive Director Stephanie Yates.
After retiring from a 33-year career with the Danville Police Department, Bob Richard became Executive Director of the foundation in 2009. At that time, the organization faced significant needs, had limited assets, and no fundraiser. Bob introduced the 365 Club, built on the idea of donating $1 per day for a year—and to this day 365 Club membership has continued to grow.
Stephanie Yates noted, “It is the work of Bob Richard that has put this foundation on the map, growing the endowment by over 1700% through his determination, belief in the mission, community relationships, and the support of our amazing donors.”
(1st Picture) Students in the Meade Park drumline. (2nd Picture) Northeast Elementary teacher Melissa Sergent and 3 student
Over the past year, the foundation has provided more than $159,000 to support its mission of enhancing educational opportunities for students in Danville Public Schools.
Three funded projects were showcased during the breakfast:
- At Northeast Elementary, new microscopes for second-grade classrooms were introduced through a partnership with the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois. Principal Brent Lockhart, teacher Melissa Sergent, and three students shared how the microscopes have transformed their learning experiences.
- South View Elementary highlighted the addition of bowling to its physical education curriculum. Principal Robin Fluno, along with PE teachers Kimberlyn Youhas and Aubrey Orr, brought eight students who demonstrated the program by setting up bowling lanes at the venue and inviting guests to participate.
- Meade Park Elementary presented “Drumming Around the World,” a project featuring world drums that has expanded performance opportunities for students. Principal Tanner DeLaurier, music teacher Kahler Drews, and eight students spoke about the program before closing the event with a fantastic live drumline performance.
“This event is truly a celebration for our donors,” Yates said. “It allows them to see firsthand the difference they are making, while also showcasing the incredible talent of teachers and students at District 118.”
Established in 1989, the Danville Public School Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in support of its mission to enhance educational opportunities for the students of Danville public schools. Learn more at dpsf.org.
