Band Members, Ann Fraley of Long Realty as Sponsor, Barry Swartzberg as OSF Event Coordinator, and Ann Vernon as OSF Gala Chair.
The Tributaries Rocked DesertView Again!
Barry Swartzberg
For the fifth year in a row, the Tributaries rocked the DesertView Theatre, playing to a sold-out auditorium for over two hours, in a benefit concert for the Oracle Schools Foundation. This talented group had an enthusiastic audience dancing in their seats, in the aisles, singing along, tapping their toes, and clapping to the music!! The concert ended with an energetic crowd giving the band a well-deserved, standing ovation.
The band played a medley of songs from the many tribute shows they perform, such as Woodstock, the Eagles, Crosby-Stills-Nash, and Young, Linda Ronstadt, Simon and Garfunkel and Good Morning Vietnam. In addition to their great vocals and mesmerizing guitar work, the band pays homage to the artists and bands they are showcasing by sharing interesting bits of trivia about them.
The Foundation raises money to support preschool at the Mountain Vista school in Oracle. The state of Arizona does not fund early childhood education, so your support allows the Foundation to do that. The proceeds from this concert will give young children a jump start on their education. The Foundation Board cannot express enough appreciation to the Tributaries for their time and talent to support such a worthy cause and to Ann Fraley of Long Realty for sponsoring this event.
Celebrating Our Success!
Ann Vernon
Members of the Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Fling Gala planning committee met at the home of Chris and Larry Crum to celebrate an incredibly successful auction that raised money to help fund kindergarten prep and other related educational programs in the Mountain Vista School District in Oracle.
The Gala “team” did an amazing job of soliciting 65 silent auction items, 18 fixed–price events, and 13 fabulous live auction items. Kudos to Dorothy Wood (Silent Auction Chair), Mary Jo Swartzberg and Sue Schliepsiek (Fixed Price Chairs), and Dale Farland and Donna Pedota (Live Auction Co-Chairs). Other hard-working members of the committee who solicited items and helped coordinate the event included Linda Lyon (who made life easier for everyone by billing participants for their purchases after the event), Terri Tindal, Janet Gulden, Chris Crum, Laura Haslett, Joy Hellard, Sherry Kaplan, Bonnie Barazini, Benith MacPherson, Karen Pachis, Jessica Nehrmeyer, Richard Borland, and Barry Swartzberg. As chair of the Gala, I am so grateful to all of them for their dedication and commitment. Their energy and enthusiasm paved the way for a great auction. A big thanks also to Auctioneer Richard Martin and to Barry Swartzberg who coordinated the Tributaries benefit concert in April, as well as to Donna Pedota and Dale Farland who coordinated the CS&M benefit concert at the Ranch earlier this year. Both events raised over $10,000.
We are also so appreciative of our corporate sponsors: Lisa Bayless of Long Realty, Oracle Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Desert Dermatology, Oracle Land and Homes, Oro Valley Dental Group, Sun Tree Corporate Housing, Helen Graham of Long Realty, Bradley Kaiser, DMD, Northridge Dental, Aaron Franco State Farm Agency, B&J Refrigeration, and Shifren Physical Therapy.
I want to thank all the SaddleBrooke and Ranch residents who contributed to the auction. Although we had contributions from local merchants, the majority of items came from our communities. We could not have such a successful auction if it weren’t for your donations. I appreciate all who attended the Gala and our concerts to support such a worthy cause. Your generosity will impact the lives of children far beyond preschool because early childhood education predicts greater success in life!
Ann Vernon—Gala Chairperson, with opening remarks.
Oh What a Night!
Ann Vernon
Once again, this year’s Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Fling Gala was sold out well in advance. There was great energy floating around the ballroom as people socialized and made a beeline for silent auction items to bid on or fixed price events to sign up for. The live auction bidding was also very spirited, as was Paddle Up. A special thank you to all who attended, bought and bid, made monetary contributions, or donated their talents to the silent, live, or fixed price auction. A big applause also to all who helped coordinate and execute this wonderful event. The Gala would not be such a huge success without all of you, as well as our corporate sponsors.
In addition to silent and live auction items, we had 18 fixed–price “events” that people could sign up for. Those who attended April events enjoyed a musical evening featuring the very talented Jessiah at the piano, learned how to bake bread from Midge Mollenkopf, dressed up in Yippee Hippie attire for a great party at Cadillac Chaparral, listened to acoustic musician Mike Holper in George and Melody Van Ess’s “botanical” backyard at the Ranch, savored delicious home-made Jewish dishes at a dinner hosted by Joy and Bill Erickson, or learned about making wine during a wine tasting and fabulous dinner at the home of Kathleen and David Eaton. Because several great events will be held in the fall, be sure to check the website at www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com to see what is still available.
I am happy to report that this was our most successful Gala/auction ever! This is in large part due to your support for the Foundation. Collectively, we have made a huge difference in the lives of young children who would not have access to a free preschool if it weren’t for our efforts. The research is clear that early childhood education makes a significant difference in many ways. For example, children who attend preschool are better prepared for school and experience substantial learning gains in comparison to those who do not have this opportunity. Furthermore, as they get older, they are less likely to be arrested or struggle with substance abuse, and they are more likely to graduate from high school. As the saying goes, children are our future, so thank you for investing in their future!