The Longest Dinner Table Fundraising Event
SAVE THE DATE - SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010 5:00pm-10:00pm Food - Entertainment - Prizes - Fun |
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The South Windsor Public Education Fund / Longest Dinner table accepts your tax-deductible reservations donations through PayPal, a secure, world wide electronic payment system. You can use any of your credit cards to make this donation. You will also receive an electronic receipt from your tax-deductible donation.
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Longest Dinner Table 2009
Oh What a Night is Right!
The South Windsor Public Education Fund Committee hosted the third annual Longest Dinner Table on September 26, adding another
jewel
to the community events’ crown. The festivities included table judging for Most Elegant, Most Creative, Most Community Spirit
and Best Overall
tables as well
as a
silent auction, fifty/fifty raffle and a Heads or Tails game. The evening’s events raised $12,270
for the South Windsor
Public Education Fund. The committee is most grateful to the 54 area businesses
who donated to the silent
auction as well as the 7 table sponsors
and 5 advertisers in this year’s ad booklet. Many individual donations were also gratefully received.
This year’s event took place in Rockville Bank Park located at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk.
The lovely afternoon turned
into a
rather chilly night but with the outdoor firepit and Locomotion’s engine to keep people dancing, there were few complaints
about the temperature.
Our honorees of
the evening, Teacher of the Year Janet McEleney and Support Staff Employee of the Year
Jeanne Budarz, also warmed up the
evening reminding us why we were all there.
We are raising funds for our educators who then
apply for grants for programs and projects
for South Windsor schools.
Longest Dinner Table 2008
The second annual signature fundraiser sponsored by the South Windsor Public Education Fund Committee was held Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Nomad’s Adventure Quest in South Windsor. The event was originally schedule to be held at The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk but with a forecast of torrential rains, the SWPEF Committee had to quickly change gears to protect its patrons and the tables from the damaging wind and rain. Thanks to Tracey and Doug Nation, owners of Nomad’s, the event was rescued and moved indoors. Over 650 people attended with their spirits un-dampened. Locomotion played as planned and the decorated tables were amazing. With a 50/50 auction, a teacup raffle, and some wonderful sponsorships, the Education Fund grew by over $17,000.
Since our inception in 2006, the SWPEF and SWHS-IF have funded over $16,000 in grants to South Windsor schools. Our goal is to grow the funds and their endowments so that we can continue to support meaningful and creative educational programs.
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Winners of the “Golden Fork” were the 12 tables organized by Kristin Heckt with a |
Jay Wickliff, leader of the “OZ” table and representing the Cornerstone neighborhood accepted First Place for the “Most Creative” category. |
SWPEF-SWHS-IF honored the South Windsor Teacher of the Year, Mr. Ed Duclos. Judy Nevins, the South Windsor Supported Employee of the Year was unfortunately unable to attend, but was also an honoree of the event. |
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Sal Urso of Locomotion blew us away |
Our eight esteemed judges were escorted by Penny Brice’s committee to determine the evening’s winners. Judges: Mayor Cary Prague, Board of Education Chair: Janice Snyder, SW Schools Superintendent: Dr. Robert Kosazcka, Reverend Thomas White, Reverend Kristen Kleiman, Reverend Jeremiah Murasso, Mrs. Lynsey Desmond, and Mrs. Penny Hill. |
Longest Dinner Table 2007
The first annual Longest Dinner Table was held September 29, 2007, at The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk. It was a huge success for the community. Nearly 500 people turned out from all parts of town on a beautiful evening to endorse the newest annual event for the town.
Tables were decorated, dinners were enjoyed and dancers were busy reacting to the tunes of Locomotion. Four judges: Board of Education Chairwoman and South Windsor Community Foundation Chair Janice Snyder, State Representative Bill Aman, South Windsor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Kozaczka, and Town Mayor Matthew Streeter, were working hard during the evening selecting the top four tables in the decorating contest. People outdid themselves and we feel this will be even more competitive next year! The chosen winners were “The Four Seasons” a nine table section of tables corralled by TEMS principal Kristin Heckt, “Monopoly” complete with a jailer, a prisoner and Mr. Moneybags from the Cornerstone neighborhood organized by Kelly Wickliff, “Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” nicely executed by eight town kindergarten teachers, and Honorable Mention went to “Halloween” created by Donna Werkhoven.
Our Honoree of the evening, Ms. Karen Rossi, was given a proclamation from Governor Jodi Rell, delivered by Representative Aman. Guests enjoyed meeting her and looking over some samples of her art displayed for sale by the Connecticut ART School.
Our silent auction was a huge success bringing in $6,000 worth of bidding wars. The high ticket items of the evening were the Police Car Ride generously donated by Chief Tyler and a fire engine ride donated by Chief Phil Crombie. Our totals for the evening were nearly $17,000, all to be given back to our town’s educators for grants.
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One Long Table |
The Monopoly Table sets up. |
The SWHS band starts the evening off with fanfare. |
Kristin Heckt and company decorate a 9 table theme. |