Bonfire 2026 event

Join us for the 2nd Annual BonFIRE Benefit

Get Fired Up for Inclusion

Celebrating 10 Years of Impact

The BonFIRE Benefit is more than an evening out—it’s an event with purpose. As our 2nd Annual signature event, it fuels the mission of the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa, championing inclusive Catholic education and ensuring students with disabilities have the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong in our Catholic schools.  

What:
BonFIRE Benefit to support the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa

When:
Saturday, November 14, 2026
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Where:
Bien Venu Event Center
7400 Hudson Road
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Attire: 
Casual and comfortable!
Feel free to wear your FIRE red.

Event will be held indoors!

FIRE is dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities have the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong in our Catholic schools.  Inclusion best practices benefit EVERYONE.  

Enjoy an unforgettable night featuring:
Let’s come together around the BonFIRE to light the way for a more inclusive future in Catholic education.

Evening at a Glance

Cocktail Hour

Cocktails & mingling – get ready for an evening of purpose and celebration.

Welcome, Introductions & Opening Prayer

Gather with us as we kick off the evening and reflect on our shared mission.

Dinner is Served

Enjoy a delicious meal in the company of fellow supporters.

House Salad 
Dinner Rolls and Butter

Iced Tea

Dinner

Chicken Supreme
Lightly breaded chicken topped with creamy garlic sauce, grilled zucchini medley, and mashed redskin potatoes

Dessert
Cookies 

and a Dessert Auction

The FIRE NE Iowa Program

Hear inspiring stories and learn how your support fuels inclusion in Catholic schools.

Dueling Pianos Show

Get ready for a high-energy performance filled with music, laughter, and crowd favorites!

Evening Concludes

Thank you for being part of a night to remember.

Throughout the evening:

Bid on unique auction items, participate in the raffle, raise your paddle with purpose, and take part in fundraising activities — all to support the mission of the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Please note: Schedule is subject to change.

Piano

Dueling Pianos

Featuring Mick Staebell & Cole Thomas

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and high-energy entertainment! Mick and Cole will light up the night with crowd favorites, quick wit, and toe-tapping tunes that will have you singing along and smiling from start to finish. It only takes a spark to start the fun—don’t miss it!

John Huff

BonFIRE Emcee
Chief Operating Officer
Huff Contracting

John Huff is a seasoned operations and media executive currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Huff Contracting. He brings decades of leadership experience driving growth, efficiency, and innovation, with deep expertise in strategy, revenue development, and operational execution. Prior to his current role, John built his career in the broadcast industry at KWWL (News 7), where he held progressively senior positions including General Sales Manager, Station Manager, and Vice President/General Manager. He holds a degree in Communications, Public Relations & Advertising from Marycrest College and is known for a collaborative leadership style and disciplined, results-driven execution.

A lifelong Catholic, John was educated entirely in Catholic schools, an experience that shaped his values and commitment to service. His passion for inclusive education is deeply personal—his nephew and best buddy, Jake, was born with Down syndrome and underwent a heart transplant at a young age. Despite having access to medical and personal support, Jake was unable to attend Catholic school due to limited resources and staffing for students with disabilities. This experience fuels John’s commitment to helping Catholic schools become more inclusive and accessible for all children. Based in Waterloo, Iowa, John remains active in his community and continues to use his leadership and media background to support mission-driven work that makes a lasting impact.

BonFIRE Benefit Admission

Join us for a memorable evening of fun, music, and meaningful support for inclusive Catholic education!
  • Individual Ticket – $60 per person
  • Spark Table for 8 – $600
    • Includes admission for eight (8) guests
    • Includes reserved seating for your group – no need to worry about saving seats!

Note: if you would like an invoice to pay via check vs. paying credit card for the Spark Table please contact the FIRE NE Iowa office at 319-529-1109.  We request individual tickets are purchased online.  

Guest Room Rate

Enjoy a night away! The BonFIRE Benefit has a discounted rate of $124 ++ for the night of Saturday, November 14, 2026 at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Hotel is attached to the Bien Venu Event Center. Reservations need to be made by October 24, 2026 to receive the special rate.

Sponsors

Special thanks to all of our BonFIRE Benefit sponsors!

Bonfire Sponsors

Huff Contracting

Blaze Sponsors

EB Management
Jacob's Ladder

Steve & Michelle Philips

Ken & Tammy Schmitz

Teresa Schmitz

Flame Sponsors

Action Garage Builders
Beckman Catholic High School

Gary & Becky Bertch / Lost Island

Bosco
Cedar Valley Catholic Schools

Don & Carol Kleis

Lost Island theme park
Move with Miah
Patty's Party Photobooths
Pixel Labs
Saint Athanasius
Xavier Schools
ZE Action

Spark Sponsors

American Skillet Restaurant
Bloes Seeds

Chris & Mattie Brawner

Dr. Samir Chandra

CIT Signature Transportation
D&D Tire

Blake & Lisa Even

Clark & Bridget Even

Sam & Leigh Anne Hansen

Hershberger Tiling
Erica Kortenkamp Photography

Ron & Wendy Lundy

Milestones

Alan & Christy Naughton

Zac & Sara Phillips

Mark & Kim Rottinghaus

Schares Landscaping

Ryan & Nikki Schmit

Bruce & Erin Schmitz

Mark & Tara Schuckert

Josh & Jill Waddle

Ember Sponsors

Joseph Bader Family

Ken's Electric
Pipho Family Dentistry
Reiter Homes
Roc Fit
wayson family chiropractic
Cedar Valley
Independence Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

KEAM Services Co.

Nick & Linda Purdy

Joel & Brenda Schares

Nic & Allison STONE

Bill & Sally Schroeder

Mary Smock

NEW this year!

Dessert Auction

Dessert Auction to Include:

  • Dee’s Carmel Apple Cheesecake Crown
  • Three-Layer Chocolate Cake with French Silk Filling and a Buttercream Frosting
  • Strawberry Cheesecake
  • Turtle Cheesecake
  • Apple Pie
  • Cherry Pie
  • Mint Brownies
  • Salted Carmel Brownies

Desserts provided by:

Thank you to the following families who are sponsoring the dessert auction:

  • Dana & Michelle Damme
  • Jeff & Amy Frost
  • Stefanie Greene
  • Kevin & Tiffany Houser
  • Brian & Jill Huebner
  • Vern & Samantha Kalkbrenner
  • Joe & Brenna Schaefer
  • Chris & Bobbi Schmit
  • Ann & Keith Valesh
  • Mike & Michelle Sweeney

Sponsor the BonFIRE Benefit

GET FIRED UP for inclusion! Your sponsorship helps ignite opportunities and fuel inclusive Catholic education across Northeast Iowa.

*Name/Logo Placement = on website, e-newsletter, physical & digital signage.  

bonfire Sponsor

$5,000
  • Top level *Name/Logo placement
  • (16) admission tickets and 2 reserved tables
  • Full page ad in the event program
  • (1) guestroom at the hotel on Nov. 14th
  • Live mention from stage
  • (1) Exclusive social media post pre-event
  • (1) Exclusive social media post post-event
  • FIRE gift for the host

blaze Sponsor

$2,500
  • *Name/Logo placement
  • (8) admission tickets and a reserved table
  • Full page ad in the event program
  • FIRE gift for the host 

Flame Sponsor

$1,000
  • *Name/Logo placement
  • (8) admission tickets and a reserved table
  • ½ Page ad in the event program

spark Sponsor

$600
  • *Name/Logo placement
  • (8) admission tickets and a reserved table

Donate a Silent Auction Item

We invite you to GET FIRED UP for inclusion by donating an item, gift card, or experience to the Silent Auction at the BonFIRE Benefit, where over 250 community members gather to support inclusive Catholic education across Northeast Iowa. Your generosity directly funds paraeducators, accessibility improvements, teacher training, and adaptive learning tools—helping ensure every child can learn, grow, and belong.

Silent Auction Donations

  • John Deere Gift Set
    • Donated by Teresa Schmitz
  • Golf Package: (4) good any-day ground tickets for the 2027 Principal Charity Classic and (1) pair of FIRE golf socks
    • Donated by Principal Charity Classic & FIRE 
  • To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents
    • Donated by Kayla Craig 
  • Panera Bread for a Year & $25 Gift Card
    • Donated by Panera 
  • Silver Spur Gift Basket
    • Donated by Silver Spur
  • Irish Fest Gift Basket
    • Donated by Irish Fest 
  • Custom Cutting Board
    • Donated by Roch Schmitz
  • Oh Grace Boutique Color Analysis
    • Donated by Oh Grace Boutique
  • Oh Grace Boutique Style Analysis
    • Donated by Oh Grace Boutique
  • Oh Grace Boutique Gift Basket
    • Donated by Oh Grace Boutique
  • Cedar Falls Night Out:  (2) Tickets to the Cedar Falls Community Playhouse Theatre and a $25 gift card to Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill
    • Donated Cedar Falls Community Playhouse Theatre 
  • (2) Tickets to Gallagher Bluedorn & a valet pass
    • Donated by Gallagher Bluedorn 
  • Des Moines Experience Package
    • (4) General admission tickets to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 
    • (4) Tickets to the Science Center of Iowa
  • Des Moines Arts Package
    • (2) Tickets to the Playhouse of Greater Des Moines 
    • (2) Tickets to the Des Moines Symphony
      • Donated by the DSM Playhouse & DSM Symphony
  • Hockey Night Out
    • (4) Tickets to the Waterloo Black Hawks
      • Donated by the Waterloo Black Hawks 
  • Bowling Fun Package
    • (1) Hour of Bowling for 6, Shoe Rental & a Pitcher of Soda
      • Donated by Maple Lanes 
  • Quad Cities Package
    • (4) Tickets to the Fun Station 
  • Baseball Fan Package
    • (4) Tickets to the Waterloo Bucks 
    • (4) Tickets to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 
    • (1) Box of Baseball Cards 
  • Faith & Four Letter Words
    • (2) Books and (2) Tickets to a Show
  • Dan Gable Museum
    • Book, Shirt, Poster 
  • Chicago Package
    • (4) Admission Tickets to the Field Museum in Chicago 
  • FIRE Package
    • FIRE Rosary & Be Who God Meant You To Be Frame
  • FIRE Whiskey
    • FIRE Whiskey 
  • Red Light Wellness
    • Donated by Bruce & Erin Schmitz 
  • Med Siz Bogg Bag, Owala Water Bottle & Snacks
    • Donated by Karen Howard

Can’t Make It? You Can Still Make a Difference!

While I’m unable to attend the BonFIRE Benefit, I’m proud to support the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa and their mission to create inclusive Catholic education. Please accept my donation to help keep the FIRE burning bright for all students!

Contact Us

Have questions or need assistance? Reach out and GET FIRED UP with us!

Email: info@firefoundationneiowa.org | Phone: 319-529-1109