The New Millennium Foundation's 11th annual Kentucky Derby auction was a huge success the evening of March 24 at the to support academic and extracurricular initiatives and programs on campus.
, whose proceeds directly benefit the 1,700 students at LGHS through a grant request program and also replace funds lost due to budget cuts.
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, said event chairwoman Lisa Tollner-Sliva.
With the Derby, organizers hoped to meet their $400,000 goal.
Local businesses provided sponsorship cash donations, products and services to be sold at the auction; dozens of volunteers worked to coordinate the evening’s activities; and even the students helped with donations of crafts, cooking and school projects – like Band Together (a student-run, community fund-raising project born out of an AP English assignment).
“The event was a huge success and we are grateful to Los Gatos businesses, friends and families for their continued support of our local, community high school,” said Markus Autrey, Los Gatos High School principal.
Co-chairwomen Maureen Tabari, Gina Warne, and Tollner-Sliva selected the Kentucky Derby theme because it provided a fun-filled backdrop for the evening and parlayed into fun, Southern tradition, like sporting fashionable and flamboyant hats and sipping exotic drinks.
The evening concluded with dancing by the Blackberry Hill Band, a rock ensemble comprised of parents.
The event website will be offering discounts on a selection of products and services available for purchase online by clicking here.
To support Los Gatos High School NMF with a donation, please click here.
