If you want to see just what the West Windsor-Plainsboro Education Foundation accomplishes you can simply attend its annual gala and fundraiser on Friday, May 7.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the non-profit organization, founded by volunteers from both communities in the mid-1990s to raise money for programs not paid for by the school district. “We help pay for programs in the schools which are innovative and creative, which probably wouldn’t happen without outside funding,” says Marcia Fleres, Foundation executive director.
Performing during the gala will be the High School North Jazz Band, directed by Mark Bencivengo and the Findecando Quartet from High School South. The jazz band will entertain for an hour during a reception and live auction starting at 7 p.m. The Findecando Quartet will play for 30 minutes during dinner, starting at 8 p.m. The Sandstorm Band, a professional music group, will also play throughout the night.
Fleres says the student groups are invited to perform so the Foundation can feature the programs it was created to benefit. “The more we can showcase talent from WW-P the better. It shows where the money is going to.”
Fleres says she first heard the Findecando Quartet in February during an event sponsored by the Mercer County Education Association in the MarketFair Mall. “My daughter was with me and she saw them performing and said, ‘Mom you have to come and hear this group.’ I went to see them and they gave me chills. Then I found out who they were and I said had to get them for the gala.”
This year’s event will be held at Princeton University in the Carl Icahn Lab Atrium of the new Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics. “The atrium is an amazing venue with floor to ceiling glass windows,” says Fleres. “It’s a special and unique place, rather than your usual banquet hall.”
The Gala also features a gourmet dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and a live auction. Tickets are $95 per person. Tables are $760 for a table of eight. For more information, call 609-716-5000 x5014 or email gala@wwpef.org
This year’s event will honor Congressman Rush Holt, says Fleres. Also recognized will be district teachers and staff who have received mini-grants from the foundation this year.
Since it was created, the Foundation has awarded more than $110,”000 in mini-grants to support some 115 projects selected on a competitive basis.
Mini-grant awards range between $300 and $1,”000. The Foundation also sponsors the STAR program (Staff and Teacher Appreciation Recognition) to honor special teachers and staff in the district.
Fleres explains that under STAR, parents of students can make a donation of $10 or more in honor of a teacher or staff member and that person receives a STAR certificate. “It’s a good way to raise funds and also recognize some of the special people in the district.”
The Foundation primarily focuses on fundraising activities and also sponsors a speaker series. “We don’t want to be seen as a fundraising organization but we have to raise money to do what we do,” says Fleres, who was hired earlier this year to help bring the organization to the next level. “Some of the dreams of our board members include activities like mentoring and career fairs. I’ve been saying we need to take our time, though, and take things one step at a time.”
Primary sponsors of the gala this year are Bristol Myers Squibb, Merrill Lynch, HVB America, Sarnoff Corporation, and the Boyle Family Foundation.
Benefit Gala, West Windsor-Plainsboro Education Foundation, Carl Icahn Lab Atrium, Princeton University, 7 p.m. 609-716-5000 ext 5014. Dinner, dancing, silent auction. Black tie optional. Register by e-mail at gala@wwpef.org. $95.
