Save the Date: Lakeland Education Foundation's Annual Gala is March 7

From the Lakeland Education Foundation

The Lakeland Education Foundation (LEF) will honor two distinguished members of the Lakeland Central School District community at its annual Casino Night, Silent Auction, and Dinner Dance to be held at the Villa Barone in Mahopac on March 7.

This year’s honorees include two of the LEF’s biggest supporters: 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 are 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 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. Working with the Lakeland Education Foundation is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Denise Kness.

“It is truly an honor to be named as one of the LEF honorees for the 2014-2015 school year,” said Dr. Gagliardi. “The LEF grants have enabled students and staff to benefit from creative projects in the arts, worthwhile endeavors in science and expanded learning experiences beyond the classroom walls. There is nothing more rewarding than observing students explore and learn through these grants. After all, for me, as an educator, it’s all about the kids,” she added.

The Foundation’s goal is to better the amount ($40,000) that was raised last year at this, the LEF’s largest fundraising event. Major sponsors this year include Entergy; Shaw, Perelson, May, Lambert, LLP; Yorktown Funeral Home; O’Connor Davies; Peachwave Yogurt-Mohegan Lake; and Camp Nabby.

The LEF has 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 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 Lakeland Education Foundation has been working hard for the past 21 years to enhance the educational experience for all Lakeland students,” said Diane Kness.

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 $550,000 in grants to help enhance the educational experience of students in the district.

For more information or to sign up to attend the event, go to LEF@LakelandSchools.org