“I hope [T.H.E. Event] helps pull our entire district together as one community. It is a district wide effort; it reminds us all that we are a part of something bigger than a set of individual schools.” said Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources Dan Stepenosky
On June 9, Together Helping Education Foundation will host T.H.E. Event, a dinner gala at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center to raise money for the Las Virgenes Unified School District. As a group, T.H.E. Foundation aims to unite businesses and residents within the Calabasas community to provide steady funding for LVUSD schools. This event specifically hopes to help save teachers and counselors from losing their jobs and reduce the number of students in each class. After the funds are used for those purposes the remaining money will be allocated to other issues.
“Our hope is to provide a chic, high-energy, fun night out for everyone in our community,” said Jessica Nedick co-chair of T.H.E. Event. “We want an evening where we can come together across city and school lines to see old friends and make new friends all for an important cause that we all care about.”
Due to successful funding efforts from previous events held by T.H.E. Foundation, LVUSD was able to keep all of its certificated staff and was not forced to issue any pink slips to employees with regular contracts with the district. As budget cuts continue to increase, T.H.E. Foundation hopes that T.H.E. Event will help accumulate funds for years to come so that the district does not have to struggle or lose any valuable assets in the future.
In the past 6 years LVUSD has lost over $11 million due to budget cuts which has resulted in a loss of teachers and counselors. With fewer administrators class sizes have continued to grow and program and instructional days have been eliminated due to the lack of funding from the state. The money raised at T.H.E. Event as well as what has been raised in the past goes directly to LVUSD schools.
“Parents are absolutely critical,” said Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources Dan Stepenosky. “No one can have great schools with out amazing parent support. Our parents are educated, engaged, and passionate about our schools this is critical. A strong parent-school relationship only helps schools be stronger. T.H.E. Foundation will help that bond grow and strengthen.”
Party attendees must be 21 years or older because the activities are geared towards a more mature group. General admission is $150 per person, but VIP boxes are also available for 8 people at the cost of $2000. Food and wine tastings from various restaurants and wineries including Rosti and Silver Oak will be offered for community members to enjoy. The entertainment for the night will be live performances by Band From TV, which is a band comprised of television actors from shows such as Desperate Housewives, ER, and Heroes. In addition, Chris Harrison, the host of The Bachelor, will emcee the event. A silent auction will also be available for party guests.
Both LVUSD and T.H.E. Foundation have high expectations for T.H.E. Event and they hope that the fundraising that takes place will be a large help when budget cuts worsen next year.
