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Community Corner

3rd Annual NHSF Gala: A Night on the Red Carpet

The New Haven Schools Foundation (NHSF) is
thrilled to present its highly anticipated annual fundraiser. This year’s gala, "A Night on the Red Carpet," is a Hollywood-movie premiere themed event where guests can look forward to  dining on gourmet dinner and trying their luck at the casino games. 

Bridget Russell, NHSF Board Member and the event’s
planner was asked about what
guests should expect at the gala, she replied, “[The] atmosphere
is festive - everyone is dressed up. [The] food is delicious, [the] drinks
are great and [there are] wonderful items to bid on at the auction. Everyone
[crowds] around the casino tables, gambling with their funny money that they
can turn into raffle tickets for some great prizes.”

NHSF
President, Rebecca Venable hopes that the gala raises over $20,000 to help the Foundation fulfill its mission of innovating and enriching educational opportunities for New Haven
Unified students. She stated, “The gala is the Foundation’s largest fundraising
event. [It has allowed us] to help fund Co-Curricular programs for the high schools and middle schools in the way of stipends for Assistant Coaches and Directors. We have also been able to fund Innovations in Education, our classroom mini-grant programs for elementary schools.”

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This year, there will be a photo booth, and guests can
channel their inner celebrity by using Hollywood-themed props and costumes to pose for glamorous movie star photos to take home. As in previous years, guests
can look forward to the lively competitive bidding during the Live Auction. The
Silent Auction will feature many sought-after items, from wine tasting vouchers
to a cooking class at Federico’s Tapas and Wine Bar. And guests in search of
luxury accommodations can bid on a one-night stay at an historic San Francisco
hotel. 

Gala tickets are
$100 per person (or $175 per pair) and include dinner as well as “$1,000” in play chips to try their luck blackjack, roulette, and other casino games. Back by popular demand is the Texas Hold 'Em tournament for an additional $25 entry fee.

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The gala will
take place at the Mark Green Sports Center in Union City. Guests are encouraged
to park their vehicles at the Holly Center and to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to and from both sites that will be provided throughout the evening.

All of the proceeds from the event go toward supporting quality student activities and educational programs. Currently, the NHSF has three main grant programs: Innovations in Education (classroom
mini-grant programs for elementary schools), Project Enrichment (mini-grant
program to promote co-curricular and extra-curricular activities), and Pathways
to Success (a scholarship program for high school seniors). Last year, the
Foundation awarded over $70,000 to New Haven graduates.

The
continuity of such programs is dire to the sustenance and preservation of the New Haven School District’s efforts to develop and empower its students. These programs are why fundraising events like this gala are so vital. “What we do is
very, very important,” said Kennedy. She added, “The social aspect [of the gala] creates an opportunity to mingle with people who really care about our
youth. Connections are made and friendships forged. It is nice to have a chance
to socialize outside of business hours with others who share our purpose. We
can only do this with the generous support of our community.”

Gala guests attending will be in for a treat – an evening filled with amusements and entertainment, all for a worthwhile cause.

“A Night on the Red Carpet” Fundraising Gala
Presented by the New Haven Schools
Foundation
(Semi-formal attire; Must be 21 years and older to attend)

Saturday, March 22, 2014
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Mark Green Sports Center, 31224 Union
City Blvd., Union City

Ticket and sponsorship information can be
found at www.nhsfoundation.org.

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