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LEEF gala raises $83,000 through auctions

Enjoying the festivities are (left to right) Elena Oundjian, Samantha Quirk, and Laurie Ernst. Photo courtesy of Joe Aberdale
LONGMEADOW The Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation's fifth annual gala, held on Nov. 18 at Chez Josef in Agawam, was a major success, raising $83,000. Three hundred and sixty people attended the event where a buffet dinner was served with Longmeadow High School musicians providing the dinner entertainment. Over three hundred items were auctioned off in live and silent auctions.

The auctions featured such items as weekend getaways, art, jewelry, dental treatments, wine, sports memorabilia and gift certificates. The donated items for the auctions came from individuals, families and businesses and raised $50,000. The evening's entertainment featured The Glamour Girls and their band singing songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The new LEEF Longmeadow Resource Guide was presented at the Gala. The Guide, distributed to all Longmeadow homes, is an informational booklet about Longmeadow's government, agencies, committees, schools and services. Advertisements in the Guide were sold to area businesses and raised $33,000 for LEEF.

The Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) is a private, volunteer, non-profit organization, established in 2001, to enrich, enhance and support the quality of education in the Longmeadow public schools. LEEF is committed to underwriting grants in all subject areas to provide the schools, grades K-12, with extraordinary opportunities beyond the scope of tax-supported budgets.

There were 175 volunteers who worked on the gala, including parents from all six schools, as well as friends in the community. Students and staff from the Longmeadow High School art department made decorations for the affair while other students sold raffle tickets and assisted with the auctions.

The turnout and money raised is a reflection of our commitment to education and our support for one of our greatest assets our children and our teachers. The board of directors of LEEF is very grateful to all who helped make the evening a tremendous success.

~ Submitted by Joe Aberdale of LEEF