A chance to spend a ‘Night in Old Havana’ to help kids

This year’s 2016 PEF Bash, supporting the mission of the Petaluma Educational Foundation, guarantees to be another legendary night of dancing, dining and auctions benefitting all 38 K-12 public, not-for-profit and charter schools in the Petaluma area.

On Sept. 10, guests will be transported back in time to a “Night in Old Havana” as they come together to raise funds to benefit the the local nonprofit working to enrich and enhance the academic experience of each of the community’s 13,000 students.

The event will start with cocktails during the reception hour that also includes a super-silent auction. The night will continue with a nostalgic vibe of vintage Cuban nightlife. The live auction will offer an opportunity to bid on the most sought-after packages featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences and all-time favorite culinary and excursion auction lots. It will take place during an elegant sit-down dinner.

The gala’s highlight always comes when the more than 500 guests are collectively invited to raise their paddles pledging support to all Petaluma students who benefit from PEF’s Impact Grant program.

All the proceeds raised during the Fund the Future paddle rise go to support the foundation’s annual grant program that has reached more than $3 million the program has raised since it began in 1982,

Live music by the Bay Area’s Beat Street Band will add to the night’s festive flavor.

From Sinatra to the Rolling Stones and Elvis to Usher, Beat Street has got all the hits covered.

All-inclusive tickets ($150 per person until Aug. 10, and $175 after that date) are available by contacting the PEF Office at 778-5063 or by visiting the event website at https://petaluma.ejoinme.org/bash16. PEF’s Online BASH Auction kicks off Aug. 17 and runs through Aug. 31 at https://biddingforgood.com/pefinfo/bash2016 providing everyone an opportunity to bid in support of local education.

Annual PEF Partners for Education - Clover Stornetta Farms, Petaluma Market and Petaluma Health Care District - join presenting event partners Exchange Bank and Dairy Delivery as top-tier sponsors.

Several other businesses have committed to keep education as a priority in the community will underwrite the festivities as corporate partners. They include the Law Offices of Bridget Mackay, Lace House Linen, PG&E, Bank of Marin, Encore Events Rentals/Cal West Rentals, Camelbak, First Community Bank, Guido Enterprises, Hansel Auto Group, Hennessy Funds, Mike Hudson Distributing, Petaluma Argus Courier, Petaluma Minuteman Press, Pisenti & Brinker LLP, Rabobank, Sonoma Clean Power, W.K. McLellan Co., Cinema West, Comcast, Don Ramatici Insurance, Inc., Friedman’s Home Improvement, Kaiser Permanente, Morris Distributing and Top Speed Data Communications.

The mission of the PEF is: “Every child has a dream. By matching the passion of our supporters to the proven needs in the academic community, together, we can fund the future of our local students.” Petaluma Educational Foundation has been reaching Petaluma’s K-12 students through grants to local schools and scholarships to graduating seniors.