Our public schools are among the most important institutions in our community. Quite simply, the educational work they undertake shapes the children who will be the future of our city, state and nation.

Funding the school system is an expensive undertaking. Unfortunately, the monies available from local, state and national governmental sources are often insufficient to pay for all those things that are needed to achieve the educational goals we have for our kids.

That’s why the fundraising undertaken by the Fort Dodge Community Schools Foundation provides an important enhancement to public education in our town. It plays an important role in helping to fund educational materials within the school system, according to Nik Moser, the foundation’s director.

In the past, the foundation has paid for programmable robots, math and literacy materials, metal shop tools and musical instruments.

The foundation’s annual Go Big, Go Dodgers fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S. Tickets cost $40 per person and are available at fdcsfoundation.org. They can also be purchased at the door.

”This is a huge event for us, mainly because we’re putting 100 percent of the money we raise back into the district and investing in our kids and teachers,” Moser told The Messenger. ”It’s really a celebration of our schools and our community.”

The annual event has raised more than $400,000 for the schools since 2011.

The Messenger enthusiastically supports the foundation’s important work. We urge our readers to help it achieve its goals by attending Saturday’s event and assisting the foundation throughout the year. Participating in Go Big, Go Dodgers will help make our excellent school system even better.

Besides, Go Big, Go Dodgers promises to be a really fun night.