"West Side Story" raises thousands of dollars

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - More than 120 people gathered for "West Side Story", a dinner to raise money for the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation.  The foundation helps fund special projects. 

Foundation President, Brad Cohen, said the evening brings together West Side graduates who have excelled in their careers and showcase the successes of the school system. 

"This is a general fundraiser.   This year's fundraiser is most directed towards a brand new Global Learning Center which we just opened. It is a state of the art language lab global learning center for students and it's a high-tech type lab," Cohen said.

The main speaker for the evening was 1983 alum and creator of  Angie's List, Bill Oesterle. 

"This is where you get a chance to invest in programs the school can't otherwise support.  It's a very, very powerful thing.  I think it's the obligation of the alumni and of the community to continue to fund these types of project," Oesterle said.

Last year the foundation raised $10,000 and they hope to go above and beyond that total.