This year marks 14th annual Starlight Gala on October 24, 2009. The evening features tuxedoed emcees, a no-host bar, and more than 200 silent auction items. The free hors-d’oeuvres (from Strings, Trinity Café, and numerous local chefs) will be delectable and plentiful. The night continues with a brief but delicious dessert auction and wraps up with an exciting live auction of ten top-quality items. All proceeds go the Mt. Shasta public schools (K-12) and ticket sales will be limited, so it would be best to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets ($30 each) are available at Doris Moss Realty, The Fifth Season, and Mt. Shasta Elementary School. All this happens at the Mt. Shasta Community Building (629 Alder St) at 6pm sharp. For more information or advanced reservations, contact Lori Harch at 530.926-1001.
How did it get started?
Back in 1994 the Mt. Shasta public schools were facing dramatic budget cuts because of an anticipated decrease in funding, something that the schools in California seem to be facing on a constant basis. A small group of folks, growing tired of suggesting what to cut—classroom aids? art programs? advanced and remedial courses?—decided to try to add to the budget. That’s how the Mt. Shasta Education Foundation was born.
The Mt. Shasta Education Foundation (MSEF) was established in January 1995 to enhance the public education of our elementary, middle, and high school students. MSEF’s goals are to raise funds for programs, supplies, and instruction; involve community members in the educational process; and support our local students and help them to prepare for successful futures. The Foundation was officially recognized as a corporation by the state of California in October 1996 and was granted its nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) in March 1997. It has always been staffed entirely by volunteers.
The Foundation Board (originally about 10 members) tried various ways to raise money: they sold rootbeer floats at the 4th of July, they held a Country Dance, they raffled a hot-air balloon ride, and they held a tennis tournament. The monies raised were minimal and the effort expended maximal.
After about a year, the Board decided to concentrate on one big fundraiser per year. They figured: Do it once and do it right! So on Dec. 13, 1996, the first annual Starlight Gala took place at the Mt. Shasta Community Building. All the members of the board, along with several other volunteers, worked together to solicit donation items that could be auctioned. Almost all of the auction items and liquor were donated by local business people. The Mt. Shasta Lion’s Club acted as bartenders, and the Community Building was offered at no cost by the Mt. Shasta Masons. MSEF hired a local caterer to serve dinner, and all the board members sold tickets ($18 each), which entitled the holder to the silent auction (6 pm), no-host bar and guitar music, dinner (7:15pm), and the live auction (8:15 – 10pm). All the profits from this event went toward the 1996-1997 MSEF fundraising goal of purchasing computer equipment and software at the three public schools in Mt. Shasta (Mt. Shasta Elementary, Sisson Elementary, and Mt. Shasta High School). The Gala raised $4,000. The Board decided to also do a mail solicitation in May of each year, called the Mt. Shasta Education Foundation Membership Drive. The two events provide the funding for all the grants distributed by MSEF.
Each year, the Starlight Gala grew a bit. After the Community Building began charging for its facility, the Gala was held at the Mt. Shasta City Park, but then returned to the Community Building because of size and acoustics. The dinner was replaced by heavy hors d’oeuvres, but the rest of the format (no-host bar, silent auction, dessert auction, and live auction) remained the same. The entertainment varied from the high school jazz choir to the middle school band to adult musicians (all of whom donated their services). Soon the event regularly sold out, even though the ticket price was raised.
In 2004, the 12th Annual Starlight Gala netted a record $24,000. Several folks who couldn’t attend sent in generous checks that contributed to this exciting outcome. The next year, MSEF was awarded the Non Profit of the Year for 2005 by the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce. It was so exciting to see all the businesses, parents, and community members choosing to invest so fully in the Mt. Shasta’s future!
Last year MSEF distributed $30,700 to Mt. Shasta public schools, funding numerous items ranging from a 9’x12’ projection screen for the elementary multipurpose room to five computers for the high school library media center.
