Organizers make final preparations for 10th annual LEEF Gala

Date: 10/18/2011

Oct. 17, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW — Things are falling into place as final preparations are being made for the 10th annual Longmeadow Educational Endowment Fund (LEEF) Gala on Oct. 22.

Tickets for the non-profit organization’s signature event taking place from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Twin Hills Country Club are still on sale with ticket request forms available at www.goleef.org.

“This year’s event will have something for everyone,” Jasmina Mitreska, 2011 LEEF Gala co-chair, said. “LEEF has awarded 236 grants totaling $821,000 and this event helps us do that, so we appreciate all of the support.”

This year’s event will not feature a sit-down dinner, but rather a cocktail reception that will include eight passed hors d’oeuvres and five different carving stations.

Highlights of this year’s menu include roasted pork loin marinated with lime chipotle, beef tenderloin encrusted with mustard and crushed black peppercorn and pumpkin ravioli with gorgonzola sauce.

As the menu has been decided upon, donations for the event’s live and silent auctions have continued to pour in.

“There have been so many people and businesses that have been so generous and we are thankful to all of them,” Mitreska said.

Included in this year’s live auction are several getaway opportunities, including a family vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., a seven-day stay in Hutchinson Island, Fla., and a two-night all-inclusive trip to Woodloch Pines in the Pocono Mountains in Hawley, Pa.

Sports fans can bid on tickets to Patriots, Red Sox and Yankees games and a catered Super Bowl party by Elegant Affairs. Texas Roadhouse has also donated a catered backyard barbeque party.

The silent auction is highlighted by VIP passes to see “Live! with Regis and Kelly” in New York City before Regis Philbin retires on Nov. 18.

Other items up for bid include a baseball autographed by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling; a football autographed by New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk; autographed jerseys from Phoenix Suns stars Steve Nash and Grant Hill, passes to museums, aquariums and other attractions; and passes for ski and golf outings.

For more information on this year’s LEEF Gala, visit www.goleef.org.