MALIBU/SANTA MONICA—Over $250,000 was raised at the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation’s second annual Santa Monica-Malibu Wine Auction on April 30 to support programs at all local public schools, according to reports.
Nearly 400 people attended the event held at Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. According to the Foundation, the event raised a total of $254,906, with $132,500 coming from corporate sponsors. Thirty-three local restaurants and beverage purveyors participated in the event, which included live and silent auctions.
“Our second Wine Auction was even more successful than the inaugural event. It surpassed all expectations,” said David Vukadinovich, president of the SMMEF Board of Directors. “Everything-from the beautiful location to the outstanding food and wine, to the incredible weather- was perfect. We are grateful to everyone who was part of this event to support all students in our district.”
The event was presented by Dan & Bradstreet, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Capital, Kaiser Permanente and Saint John’s Health Center Affiliation Endowment Fund.
“We hope that everyone who attended our Santa Monica-Malibu Wine Auction event last Sunday [April 30] enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed having you there! Thank you for helping raise funds for our students and being part of this incredible event,” the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation wrote on its Facebook page.
The money raised from the Wine Auction will go to programs such as arts education for the Santa Monica-Malibu School District’s 4,900 elementary students, 87 instructional assistants, and enrichment grants for all 16 schools in the district, according to SMMEF. Many of the schools use the money for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), arts and student health and wellness programs.
“We are so thankful for our Corporate Partners and their support of this outstanding event,” said Linda Greenberg, executive director of the Education Foundation. “Our Corporate Partners really understand that outstanding schools are directly connected to a strong and vibrant community.”
