Freeport Education Foundation celebrates at third annual gala

Nearly 400 Freeport residents, students and faculty members gathered at the Coral House in Baldwin for a night of music, dancing, and celebration for the Freeport Education Foundation’s third annual gala.

On May 30, the Freeport Education Foundation welcomed community members to the annual fundraiser, designed to raise money for special programs at schools within the Freeport School District. They sold raffle tickets for 50 prize baskets, with goodies ranging from wines to candy and even restaurant reservations. They also sold 50/50 raffle tickets and gave out two scholarships to students who represent what the FEF stands for in the Freeport community.

The FEF is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013, designed to provide scholarly programs to students throughout the Freeport School District.

Its mission is to raise money through corporate sponsors and individual donors in order to cover the cost of necessities for Freeport students. During the 2016-2017 school year, the foundation raised over $18,000 in grants across Freeport’s 10 schools. They also bought a grand piano, and awarded eight scholarships to eight students.

“This community is important and the [Freeport students’] education is important, and we’re able to watch them grow, which is good. That’s why we’re here,” said FEF President Butch Yamali.

“We do this to raise money for things that the school can’t buy. It’s just things for education that help [students] work better in school and work out better in the end,” Yamali said.

The success of this program, said Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham, is because of the Freeport students.

“Even though this is a FEF Gala, to me this is all about Freeport kids. FEF has lived up to its mission, changing the lives of its students, and tonight is the third year in a row that we have successfully been raising funds for creative and innovative programs for our students. I am thrilled for what we can do, and what our kids can look forward to because of these projects,” Kuncham said.

The Freeport Little League and the Freeport Red Ravens were two organizations honored at the event for their dedication to helping students, said Jonathan Bloom, Freeport athletic director.

“Both the Freeport Little League and the Red Ravens have developed over the years, and have done an excellent job keeping our students involved in something,” Bloom said.

The emphasis and theme of community was present among attendees and FEF board members, including Debra Mulé.

“It’s a wonderful thing. It brings out the entire community and everybody comes together. Overall, it’s a great night,” Mulé said.