A Night of Remarkable Generosity Blooms at 2025 Secret Garden Gala
A Night of Unprecedented Generosity Blooms at The Hotel del Coronado
In what is now being hailed as one of the most generous evenings in Coronado Schools Foundation history, guests stepped into a night that felt plucked from a storybook.
Picture this: You walk into the iconic Crown Room at The Hotel del Coronado, greeted by friends and neighbors dressed to the nines, every inch of the room buzzing with anticipation. The festivities began with an electrifying cocktail reception hosted by Fox Restaurants and The Clements Group. Laughter floated through the room as guests admired a breathtaking 8-carat ring—courtesy of York Law and provided by Roberto’s Jewelry—the undeniable showstopper of the evening. One by one, attendees slipped it onto their fingers, imagining the moment it would later dazzle in the live auction.
Just steps away, guests found themselves at the Champagne Wall, ringing the bell on the elegant floral wall to reveal etched glasses of champagne, generously sponsored by Ken Morris with The Morris Sevier Group. The night was only just beginning, but it was already clear: this gala would be unforgettable.
As the crowd flowed into the Ocean Ballroom, the sunset cast a golden glow over the beach, illuminating a lavish display of décor that transformed the space into a dreamscape. At each seat, guests discovered gifts from McKay & Associates and wine underwritten by Chase Financial—small touches that signaled the extraordinary evening ahead.
CSF Board President Katie Hart and President & CEO Ashley Degree took the stage with a heartfelt welcome, grounding the glamour in the true purpose of the night: supporting Coronado’s public schools. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—the Live Auction, led by Dr. Mullins and Benefit Auctioneers and sponsored by Coronado Family Dental. The energy skyrocketed. Paddles—sponsored by Thrasher Pest Control—shot into the air as guests competed for one-of-a-kind experiences available only at the CSF Gala.
The excitement carried straight into dinner, where guests enjoyed a handcrafted surf-and-turf entrée followed by a decadent dessert sponsored by the Cutler Family. With wine flowing and spirits high, the ballroom buzzed with a community united in purpose.
Then, a surprise that shifted the night into Coronado history: The Manning Family announced a $100,000 donation and invited others to join them. In seconds, a paddle flew up—Bob Plumb matching the gift and doubling the impact to $200,000. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Parents, business owners, partners, and longtime
supporters continued to give, their generosity building like a tidal wave. The room was electric, emotional, and overflowing with gratitude.
The evening crescendoed with the unveiling of The Velvet Vine, an opulent, hidden speakeasy created by Stephen and Sherry Oung with Coronado Family Dental—a glamorous gateway to the highly anticipated afterparty.
The Garden After Dark, hosted by the gracious Canu Family, transformed the Secret Garden into a whimsical playground of excitement. Guests tried their luck at a casino hosted by the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation, posed for photo moments sponsored by Boney’s Bayside Market and the Katie Herrick Group, and packed the dance floor sponsored by Dr. Kouli with Esthetica. The hottest ticket of the night? The Giving Key, where guests vied for a chance to win a sparkling diamond pendant presented by Clarke Construction and IVT Yacht Sales.
Tequila from Emerald Spear cascaded down a stunning ice luge sponsored by Kids Incorporated, fueling the festivities as the dance floor stayed packed until the lights came up—long after anyone wanted the night to end.
From start to finish, the evening was a celebration of community, creativity, and unmatched generosity. Coronado came together in spectacular fashion, leaving no doubt that this island’s spirit—and its commitment to its schools—is brighter and stronger than ever.
