Lakeland Education Foundation Raises $50,000 To Support Student Programs

More than 500 friends and supporters of the Lakeland Education Foundation (LEF) turned out to help raise almost $50,000 at the annual Casino Night, Silent Auction, and Dinner March 7. The funds raised go directly toward programs to enhance the educational experience of all district students.

“We want to thank the Lakeland community and all of our supports 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, held at Villa Barone, honored two distinguished members of the Lakeland Central School District: Denise Kness and Dr. Karen Gagliardi. Mrs. Kness is the former president of the LEF and current Lakeland Board of Education trustee. Dr. Gagliardi is the principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

“We were proud to honor these two women who have continued to lend support each and every day for the LEF’s efforts,” said LEF President Diane Kness.

“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.” Denise Kness said that evening. “When parents and schools work together, the sky is the limit,” she added. “I am humbled to be honored by the Lakeland Education Foundation and truly honored to be sharing this spotlight with Dr. Karen Gagliardi. The work of the Foundation and all its members for the past 21 years is a service that is so needed and very much appreciated,” said Denise Kness.

“Being part of the Lakeland family has brought me much joy and personal satisfaction,” said Dr. Gagliardi. “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. It may seem clichéd, but the children are out future, she added. “It is truly an honor to be selected an LEF honorees for the 2014-2015 school year,” said Dr. Gagliardi. “

The Foundation easily surpassed last year’s total ($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.
The Lakeland Education Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for the students and staff of Lakeland.

Their grants help to expand learning opportunities, to maximize the potential of each student, and to augment the fine work that is already underway in the Lakeland Schools.
The money raised at the evening’s activity will be used to help fund the Foundation’s grant program. Created in 1994, the Foundation has now awarded more than $600,000 in grants to help enhance the educational experience of students in the district.

The LEF is dependent upon community volunteers for its success. If you are interested in helping the Foundation, go to LEF@LakelandSchools.org