SchoolPower's Dinner Dance a Huge Success

Submitted by SchoolPower:

As SchoolPower's flagship event, the 28th Annual Dinner Dance held at Montage Laguna Beach is a critical component to their mission of raising funds for all four schools in LBUSD.  With the sold out night's totals consisting of a silent auction, a record-breaking live auction and a record-breaking Fund-A-Need (FAN) a net total of $305,000 (including the $50,000 from SchoolPower Endowment) was raised for Laguna Beach schools.

The Live Auction hit record setting numbers due to the generosity of many donors like Montage Laguna Beach and Chef Craig Strong, as well as a room full of excited bidders that enthusiastically raised their paddles throughout the night.

One of the more ambitious goals of the night was this year's Fund-A-Need.  Every year at the Dinner Dance, SchoolPower, in concert with school district leaders, selects a pressing educational need and specifically asks for funds to help support it.

This year's FAN, titled "Xtremely Wireless", was the most ambitious ever.  The District urgently needs a wireless upgrade in order to take advantage of exciting new classroom technology.  With a huge boost from SchoolPower Endowment that started the night's bidding with a donation of $50,000, SchoolPower will be presenting the District with a check for $150,000 to help them make this critical upgrade slated for use come this Fall.

This year's theme, Color My World, highlighted SchoolPower's mission (raising money to enhance the educational experience of all students) amidst a festive party with a photo booth, a magician and a fresh donut station, to name a few new additions to this year's event.  The DJ had everyone on the floor after all the night's bidding was done and there was a celebratory feeling that filled the room.

"It was an amazing night!" enthused SchoolPower president, Samantha Washer. "The Dinner Dance is always a special event.  This year, though, the SchoolPower trustees outdid themselves by putting on a really great party that translated into some record breaking fundraising by our dedicated school community. It was awesome!"

SchoolPower is a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for all four Laguna Beach public schools.  For more information please call 949-494-6811 or go to www.lbschoolpower.org.