CSF 25th Anniversary Dinner Auction: Party in Paradise: License to Chill

Join 25th Anniversary Dinner Auction Party Co-Chairs Wanda Aurich and Pam Hammett for a CSF Dinner Auction on November 7th that is certain to go down in history.  (L to R)  Wanda Aurich, Pam Hammett Silent Auction Co-Chair Kate Shallan, and CSF Development Coordinator Kyp Griffin.  Not pictured is Silent Auction “other” Co-Chair Ruth Ann Fisher. (Joseph Scott Photography)

CORONADO, June 4th  - Coronado Schools Foundation’s Dinner Auction on November 7th, marking the 25th anniversary of this benefit event, will be a party like you’ve never seen before. “This year we’ve come full circle from 1984 when Sally Zoll and Carol Raiter began the black tie gala, despite many saying just make it a spaghetti dinner,” commented 2009 Co-Chair Pam Hammett. “In light of the economy, to keep the event fresh for our returning guests and to bring in our younger families, we’ve revamped the timeline and streamlined the auctions. We are elated that our Presenting Partner, Hotel del Coronado, had the gorgeous Crown Room available for the silent auction and the nearby Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing.”    

CSF is the Coronado Unified School District’s non-profit, fundraising arm with proceeds benefiting academic programs at all five district public schools. “CSF is one of the only sources of local funding for our school district while 94% of school funding comes from government sources, primarily our state which is verging on bankruptcy,” said CSF Vice President Spiro Chaconas.  In order to ensure the success of the event, Spiro and wife Nancy along with business partners Christos and Marguerite Bellos have again generously donated another exciting trip to Greece for this year’s opportunity drawing - a spectacular 10 -day all-inclusive vacation for two or a seven-day all-inclusive vacation for four at The Peninsula Hotel Resort on the island of Crete. “This trip was so popular last year, we decided to give another lucky winner the chance to experience fabulous Greek hospitality,” added Chaconas. 

“We’re mixing things up this year to make the 25th a night you will not want to miss.  With a theme of Party in Paradise: License to Chill we’ve relaxed the dress to more casual, upscale island attire so people can come to support our schools without worrying about renting tuxes and buying new dresses,” noted Wanda Aurich, Co-Chair.  “This year we’ve changed the start time for our gold level ticket holders to 6 pm so there won’t be time for people to come just for the reception, they’ll want to be there for the entire event. And, for our Diamond Level guests and key business partners, we’ll be opening with our first ever VIP reception from 5 – 6 pm with a hosted martini bar in true Tommy Bahama style.  These guests will get the first opportunity to bid on the great auction items as well.” Bill Menish Productions has worked with the dinner auction committee to revamp the timeline so guests have more time to dance to the great band, Party Quake, known throughout San Diego as a high energy party band that packs the dance floor night after night. 

The Silent Auction Team of Kate Shallan and Ruth Ann Fisher, both CSF board members, are working hard to ensure the auction items are unique with a focus on one-of-a-kind experience packages. “Put your thinking caps on! Do you know someone, or do you know someone who knows someone who can get a unique type of donation – tennis pro, actor, walk on spot in a movie or show, biplane pilot, diving with sharks – we need everyone’s support to ensure our schools receive record funding next year so academic programs can be maintained,” commented Ruth Ann Fisher. “We’re highlighting our great teacher tables, too, and, with no more than a total of 250 silent auction packages, we expect heated competition during the shortened auction time this year,” added Kate Shallan. 

“This will be my sixth dinner auction as executive director of CSF,” noted Patty Cowan. “With Wanda, Pam and Kate all former dinner auction chairs and Ruth Ann having chaired the silent auction for two consecutive years, we expect a complete sell out for this event. From local merchants to our major business partners as well as parents who have paid for teachers to attend or volunteer, it truly takes a village to make this annual event happen. And with Kyp Griffin returning as CSF’s Development Coordinator for the second year, we have the best possible team working on an entertaining and highly successful fundraising Party in Paradise.” she added. 

For more about business partnership opportunities, auction donations, or volunteering for the event, please call Kyp Griffin at 437-8059, ext. 1 or visit www.csfkids.org.

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