FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Annie Hendricks, 437-8059 x1

Journey Back in Time to Tent City at the Schools Foundation Gala

CORONADO, August 8  -- A dazzling celebration in historic Tent City is the backdrop for this year’s gala as the Board of Directors and the Coronado Schools Foundation invite you to an evening of “Music, Madness & All That Jazz” on October 13th at the Hotel del Coronado. The original artwork of Sarah Player, a 2007 Coronado High School (CHS) graduate who was mentored by Laura Hill, chair of the Art Department, will be featured on all event materials.  “This year’s event promises to be more exciting than ever with a stroll back in time to Coronado’s Tent City days in the early 1900s, first class entertainment by Wayne Foster, a special bicycle drawing from Holland’s, and a HUMMER electric golf car for one lucky winner,” notes Wanda Aurich, Dinner Auction Chair of the event.

Wanda Aurich is thrilled to be part of such an important event focused on raising much needed funds for the public schools in Coronado.  “My husband, Scott, and I are honored to have a way to give back to the Coronado schools.  We feel truly blessed that our son received such an outstanding education along with great mentoring provided by the teachers and administrators of this community.  With the public schools facing more than $300,000 in budget cuts, the money raised from this year’s gala is critical for our schools to continue to meet the highest academic standards.  We want all children of this community to have the same outstanding educational opportunities that our child experienced,” continued Aurich.   Also joining us for this evening of elegance are Honorary Chairs, Bill and Joanie Huck.  “We are delighted to be selected as this year’s Honorary Chairs for the 23rd Annual Gala.  We have been strong supporters of Coronado’s public schools for many years and encourage parents and other community members to join us for this festive and worthy occasion,” offered Huck.   

WIN A HUMMER H3 ELECTRIC GOLF CAR

Thanks to the generosity of Clay and Angela Stanley, Joe and Caylee Pinsonneault, Aileen and Darryl Oya, David and Camille Boatwright, and Scott and Wanda Aurich, this year’s dinner auction will feature a drawing of a red HUMMER H3 Electric Golf Car.  This sporty vehicle comes fully equipped, is street legal and includes license and registration.  A limited number of tickets will be available through the Foundation, a variety of local merchants, and at the last Concert in the Park on September 9th sponsored by Coronado First Bank and the Foundation. 

The Silent Auction/Champagne Reception featured in the elegant Crown Room will provide myriad opportunities for you to bid on unique, elegant and fun items followed by a sit down dinner featuring an array of epicurean delights. The live auction will feature fabulous trips, dinner parties and premier auction items.  “We are really stepping up our auction packages for this event to help raise the necessary funds for our public schools,” explained Ruth Ann Fisher, co-chair of the Silent Auction.  “The Prime Time area will feature weekend getaways, spa packages, unique services, and some surprise donations not available in previous auctions.”  The foundation is proud to welcome back Wayne Foster Entertainment whose 9-piece dance band offers a vast musical repertoire and stellar ensemble of performers to ensure an evening of 1900s elegance and fun. 

Historic Tent City was established in 1900 under the director of Hotel del Coronado owner John Dr. Spreckels, to attract lawyers, doctors, business owners and other members of the middle class of the early twentieth century.  Those who chose Tent City as their vacation destination were drawn to it for its ‘novelty, freedom and its attractions,’ which included restaurants, a soda fountain, library, grocery store, shops, the Arcade, theater, bandstand, dance pavilion, merry-go-round, shooting gallery, swimming, its own police department and a daily newspaper. 

"The Foundation’s annual gala is a wonderful reminder of the generous individuals and local businesses that are committed to preserving great education offered in our public schools," said Jeffrey Kob, Foundation President. "We are grateful to our donors and especially thankful for their continued support. We are elated that Todd Shallan and the Hotel del Coronado has once again partnered with the Foundation.  The Del is the perfect backdrop for the historical Tent City theme,” stated Kob. Other sponsors for the event include Coronado First Bank, Jan Clements and Kate Sappenfield, EDCO, Prudential California Realty, and Michel Napolitano and David Udell. To receive an invitation or learn more about the Foundation’s programs, please call 437-8059 or e-mail csf@csfkids.org.                                       

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