The money raised go directly toward programs to enhance the educational experience of all Lakeland School District students.
"We want to thank the Lakeland community and all of our supporters for this record-setting turnout and fundraising. Their generous support will help the LEF continue its mission of providing grants to help enhance the educational experience for all Lakeland students," said LEF President Diane Kness.
The event also honored two distinguished members of the Lakeland Central School District: Denise Kness and Karen Gagliardi. Kness is the former president of the LEF and current Lakeland Board of Education trustee. Gagliardi is the principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
"I feel very lucky that I have been given the opportunity to participate in enhancing the education of not only my two children, but for the 6,000 students who attend Lakeland every day," said Denise Kness. "When parents and schools work together, the sky is the limit. I am humbled to be honored by the Lakeland Education Foundation and truly honored to be sharing this spotlight with Dr. Karen Gagliardi.”
"Being part of the Lakeland family has brought me much joy and personal satisfaction," Gagliardi said. "I believe in education. It can change the course of a person's life. I am privileged to see that every day in our schools."
The foundation surpassed last year's total of $26,000 at what is the LEF's largest fundraising event of the year. Major sponsors this year included Entergy; Shaw, Perelson, May, Lambert, LLP; Yorktown Funeral Home; O'Connor Davies; Peachwave Yogurt-Mohegan Lake; B. Schoenberg and Co., Inc., and Camp Nabby.
The LEF also joined forces with several community partners: the Alliance for Safe Kids, the Mohegan Lake Fire Department, the Town of Yorktown and the Yorktown Police Department.
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