Kentucky Derby to Support LGHS

The New Millennium Foundation, the fundraising arm of , is getting ready for its 11th annual Kentucky Derby auction to support academic and extracurricular initiatives and programs on campus.

The event is being planned for 6 p.m., Saturday, March 24 at the and organizers are hoping the public will buy tickets to attend its buffet dinner and the live and silent auctions. Tickets are $110 per person, or $200 per couple and can be purchased online by clicking here.

NMF fills the budget deficit at the school, explained event chairwoman Lisa Tollner-Sliva, who said LGHS is short about $400,000 every year due to budget cuts.

Money raised by the foundation pays for projectors, microscopes, computers and teacher supplies, among other items. "It's a very essential part of the educational experience for kids at the high school," she said.

The fundraiser hopes to net about $200,000 this year, she added.

The event will also feature a premium wine booth and Paul and Amy Kemp, owners of on Summit Road, will be donating additional bottles of wine to help raise extra dollars, she said.

Local families and businesses have also provided cash donations and many items that have been donated for the silent and live auctions are stays at nice vacation condominiums and dinner for four at some of the popular local restaurants.

"It's a beautiful community event because everyone tries to give a little and do what they can," she said.

Unfortunately, Tollner-Sliva explained, ticket sales only cover the cost of the event and don't raise much money toward the overall fundraising goal, therefore the need for additional sponsorships and donated items for the auctions, she added.

Tollner-Sliva encouraged the community to donate to the event and invited families to donate items for the auction in the next 10 days so organizers can get them ready.

Last year, about 220 people attended the event, she said. This year, organizers hope to get about 300 participants.

In the fall of 2011, the foundation raised about $200,000 through "The Ask" campaign, which consisted of asking every family with a student at LGHS to pitch in $500 on an optional basis, she explained.

With the Derby, organizers hope to meet their $400,000 goal.

Tollner-Sliva said about 15 LGHS parent volunteers, who have been working on organizing the event for the past four to five months, will help run the event.

If you're interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Maureen Tabari at maureentabari@hotmail.com.

The NMF was started at the new millennium and has been around for 11 years.

The event's sponsors include Hillhouse Construction, Robson Homes, Dr. Wesley Emison DDS MD, CB Construction, , John & Susie Tighe, , Rehon & Roberts, Pam Nerney and Greg Walker, and The Alarm Company.