Schools Foundation Raises $100,000+

by Connie Reddicliffe of the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation

(April 14, 2003) The first Mamaroneck Schools Foundation dinner and auction April 5 raised more than $100,000 and was “an incredible display of support for our schools,” said Kim Arenas, event co-chair.

“We couldn’t have been more pleased,” said Arenas. “The whole community helped make this event a success and a big win for our children.”

George Stone and Randall Katchies, co-owners of lead corporate sponsor Julia B. Fee, flank event co-chair Edie Roth and Foundation president Ellen Blumstein.

The gala, held at Orienta Beach Club, was months in the making, and many volunteers and local businesses contributed to its success. Business benefactors included, among many others, Julia B. Fee Real Estate, Dr. Eric Ploumis, House of Flowers and Ray Catena Lexus.

Cindy Landis, speaking for Julia F. Fee, the lead corporate sponsor, said, “We are so pleased with the success of this event. It’s important to put something back into the community, and we are honored to be able to help the Foundation foster the growth of our children.”

The Mamaroneck Schools Foundation was founded in 1996 by local volunteers concerned about quality education for Larchmont and Mamaroneck children. To date it has raised more than $650,000 and has awarded more than 70 grants that have supported programs or equipment for the arts, reading and writing, computer literacy, science and technology, assistance for immigrant children, diversity and tolerance education and teacher training.

Event co-chair Kim Arenas, Foundation vice president Sabrina Fiddelman, president Ellen Blumstein, Mamaroneck superintendent Sherry King, advisory committee member Debbie Kenyon

In January, the Foundation won the 2003 Martin Luther King Jr. community service award from the Mamaroneck/Larchmont Human Rights Commission.