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LEF to Host 20th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, March 21, 2009
6:30 pm to Midnight
Westin-Waltham Boston Hotel
70 Third Avenue, Waltham, MA
Rumors are flying that the Lexington Education Foundation (LEF) won't be
hosting Educated Tastes (ET) this year. It turns out that these rumors
are TRUE.
Instead, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, LEF is hosting a Saturday
night Gala. That's right, fancy clothes, dancing, amazing food on March
21 at the Westin-Waltham Boston Hotel, and the price for a ticket is the
same as it would have been for ET!
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction from
6:30-8:00 pm. The wonderful Lexington High School Jazz Band, directed by
Jeff Leonard, will perform. Auction items are varied -- tickets to
sporting events, art shows, and music performances; professional
photography sessions; gift certificates to restaurants; vacation homes;
and jewelry and other local artisan productions -- something for every
price range. Some of the more amazing offerings include a Tuscan Villa
(that's right, Tuscany, Italy) that can house multiple families, a stint
on Kiss 108's "TV Diner," four one-day passes to Coco Key Water Resort,
and a Cape Cod condo at Ocean Edge.
Dinner will then be served, catered by the Westin Hotel. Guests will be
able to choose between Chicken Wellington with Portobello Mushroom
Sauce, Boston Baked Scrod with Chive Tomato Vinaigrette, or a vegetarian
option. Salad will be a festively arranged cucumber bundle and the
dessert a melt-in-your-mouth Molten Chocolate Cake.
After dinner, we will premier a 20th anniversary DVD, commissioned to
celebrate this milestone, followed by professional auctioneer and Kiss
108 regular Billy Costa hosting the live auction.
Finally, everyone will be encouraged to hit the dance floor. The band
Flipside will be playing their trademark high-energy dance sets. From
r&b to funk, jazz to rock, reggae to Latin, pop to soul, Top 40 to big
band swing - this band promises to get everyone on their feet and
moving.
In addition to the auction, an important fundraising piece is a
commemorative program book that will include ads - from businesses,
organizations, and individuals alike. Ad prices range from $65 to $500
and can promote a business, advertise services, even congratulate a
teacher or child. In addition, community members will have a chance, for
$20, to add their name to a list that recognizes each of the nine
Lexington schools.
Proceeds from the gala will go toward LEF grant programs. The
initiatives funded are outside the school operating budget and make a
difference in all nine Lexington Public Schools by enriching math
skills, improving literacy, promoting 21st century technology, providing
professional development for teachers, supporting the arts, and
enhancing social competency.
Ticket forms and commemorative program ad forms were mailed in December
to all Lexington households in the LEF "Report on Giving." They can also
be downloaded from the LEF website,
www.lexedfoundation.org, or
obtained from the LEF office by calling (781) 372-3288 or emailing
lexed@att.net.
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Founded in 1989, the Lexington Education Foundation (LEF) is an
independent, 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to enhancing
educational excellence for the children of Lexington Public Schools.
Since its inception, LEF has awarded more than $2.7 million to Lexington
educators through our competitive grants program. LEF is directed by a
non-salaried board of community members and supported by contributions
from residents and area businesses. For more information, visit
www.lexedfoundation.org.
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