Columbus Montessori’s 2012 Spring Gala is just around the corner!

This week, our Gala co-chairs, Suneeta Ganga and Fran Evans took some time to answer questions that should help everyone know exactly what the Gala is all about.  If you have any more questions about this fabulous event, please use the contact information provided below!

This year the Gala will be held on April 28th, from 6:30PM until 11PM at the Lifecare Alliance Event Center located at:

670 Harmon Avenue

Columbus, OH, 43223

1.  Tell us about the Spring Gala event coming up on April 28th.  What is it?  What is its purpose?

This event is one of the two big annual fundraisers for the school.  We have the Annual Fund in the fall and Spring Gala in the spring. We successfully raised $90,000 last year to help provide financial assistance to students. The Gala is a fun, adult-only event where we really come together as a community.

Nearly 300 Columbus Montessori Education Center parents, teachers, staff, grandparents, alumni families, neighbors and friends will gather for our annual Spring Gala & Auction.  Guests will enjoy gourmet food stations as well as silent and live auctions. Auction items include donations from more than 200 local retailers and individuals in addition to projects crafted by our own children at Columbus Montessori. The George Award, named in honor of George Neugebauer, is presented annually at the Gala to a Columbus Montessori volunteer for outstanding service and commitment to children.

Tickets are $65 per person.

2.  Tell us about the sponsorship opportunities available with the Gala.

We have sponsorship opportunities at many price points, ranging from Individual Patron Sponsors at $150 a ticket to table sponsors at $1500 as well as presenting sponsors at $2500 and $5000.  Businesses can also buy ads in the Gala Program.  For more information, go to: http://columbusmontessori.org/support/spring-gala/ or email gala@columbusmontessori.org.

We are so pleased at the great sponsors who have committed their support this year!

3.  Tell me about the prep work involved in Gala.  What have you been doing lately to prepare?

The Gala committee has been very busy preparing for this fabulous event!  A few of the things we have been working hard on are:

• Soliciting silent and live auction items from the community.  This is something we can still use help with.  If you know anyone in the community that would be willing to donate items or events to our auction, please let us know!
• We have ordered, edited and sent out invitations.  They were delivered to cubbies this week!
• We have been working on advertisements for the Gala within the school and in the community.
• Closer to the event, we will be selling tickets, transporting all the items over to the event center, creating a seating chart, and assisting Susan Miller with the centerpieces for each table.

4.  Tell us about any help you still need.  How can volunteers help you out?

We still have many volunteer opportunities available this year and we would love some extra help!

• We will need some volunteers to help with ticket sales.  There will be morning and afternoon shifts at the school.  They will need to setup the table to sell the tickets.  Short, one time shifts will be available.
• We will also need some help the week April 23-27th with assembling baskets for the auction.  These shifts would be during the day at the school.
• Event preparation volunteers for the entire week before Gala all the way up until the event are also needed.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Suneeta Ganga at: suneetaganga@yahoo.com.

5.  Suneeta, how did you become involved with Columbus Montessori’s Gala?

I love to help the community and school. My husband and I really believe that education is the foundation for a child, so I am actively involved in raising the funds which will provide the much needed financial help to students to attend CMEC. The school is our extended family.

How about you, Fran?

I have always attended because it is a very important event for raising money to continue the great school we have. We really only have two main fundraising things every year- the Gala and the annual fund and my husband and I always have had a lot of fun. So when approached to help, I said of course!

Thank you, Suneeta and Fran, for your hard work and dedication to this fabulous event!

Have any questions about the Gala?  Please feel free to email Suneeta at: suneetaganga@yahoo.com or Fran at franevans3621@hotmail.com.