Petaluma Educational Foundation hosts its annual Bash Cirque du Soiree on Sept. 12 in a big-top tent on the former North Bay Construction site adjacent to the current 360 Church of Petaluma at 901 Lindberg Lane.
The Cirque du Soiree features a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions a sit-down dinner and the opportunity to support Petaluma schools.
“PEF is celebrating 33 years as part of the community,” said Maureen Highland, executive director of PEF. “We serve all public and private kindergarten through 12th-grade public and private schools - 13,000 students benefit annually. We get our support through the community, individual donations, events, our business partners and other collaborative fundraising. We receive no state or federal funding, so it’s a real tribute to the people in our community who have created such a legacy that PEF has stood through all sorts of changes and times.”
Cirque du Soiree will also feature dancing to live music provided by Bay Area band The Cheeseballs, as well as other surprises Highland said will be in keeping with the Cirque du Soleil theme.
The Bash will also include the annual “Fund the Future” paddle raise, in which guests at the event raise their paddles to pledge monetary support through PEF’s Impact Grant program. All of the money from the Fund the Future paddle raise goes to support the foundation’s grant program. According to Highland, the grant program has given more than $2.7 million to schools since the organization started in 1983. Last year, $222,974 was donated to schools through the Impact Grant program.
Past funding has gone to things like Casa Grande High School’s student farm and the “Healthy for Life” program, and a program with Wells Fargo at that school to provide science equipment to students. In addition to curriculum-based grant programs, the foundation also provides scholarships to students graduating high school.
“When we all work together, it’s inspiring how much we can make happen,” said Highland.
Ticket to Cirque du Soiree are limited and are expected to sell out. All-inclusive tickets are $175 per person. For tickets and details, Call 778-5063 or visit petaluma.eoinme.org/bash15.
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