The Rockville Centre Education Foundation will mark a milestone this spring, celebrating 35 years of supporting local students and teachers with a communitywide celebration rather than a traditional awards ceremony.
Set for May 2, at Gatsby on the Ocean at Jones Beach, the foundation’s annual gala will highlight decades of volunteer-driven impact while raising funds to continue its work in classrooms across the district.
“We just call it our 35th birthday to make it simple,” board member Peter Sharoff said. “We’re not doing an honor for anyone other than ourselves. So this time, it’s really just a big party.”
Founded in the early 1990s, the all-volunteer organization has quietly shaped students’ educational experience in Rockville Centre, raising more than $1 million for classroom grants and student scholarships. Its model is simple but flexible: Teachers apply for funding for initiatives that fall outside traditional school budgets, often experimental projects, new technologies or specialized tools designed to enhance learning.
“We’re an independent nonprofit, so that’s why we can give to the schools, the libraries, the community,” said Eric Mingorance, who serves as the foundation’s co-president along with Darren Raymar. “It’s a unique way to be able to fund creativity and innovation that educators of all sorts don’t usually get to act upon.”
Over time, those ideas have had a ripple effect. What begins as a single grant can evolve into a broader program adopted by schools across the district.
“We connect with the school to make sure that we’re not approving grants that will be impossible for them to support,” Sharoff explained. “But it’s really focusing on the teachers and the students.”
That approach has led to a wide range of funded initiatives. Some have introduced cutting-edge tools — 3D printers, laser cutters and robotics equipment — while others have focused on creative and community-based learning, from theater production upgrades to programs that connect students with local residents to share life experiences.
In some cases, early investments have helped launch programs that now feel like permanent fixtures in the district. Robotics teams, hands-on learning and other enrichment initiatives all began as ideas backed by foundation grants. The annual gala has long been central to making that work possible.
Traditionally, the event has honored educators and community leaders for their contributions to education. This year, the focus will shift toward the collective impact of the foundation itself.
“We wanted to pause and reflect on 35 years of an all-volunteer nonprofit organization,” Mingorance said, “and we’ve given over a million dollars back to our communities, to our schools, to our library, to community programs that foster innovative education.”
While the milestone will add a celebratory tone, the structure of the evening will remain familiar. Guests can expect live entertainment, including performances by the South Side High School jazz ensemble, along with dancing, raffles, and a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses. Proceeds from ticket sales and fundraising activities are directed back into future grants and scholarships.
In recent years, the event has evolved to reflect changing preferences. What was once a formal dinner is now a more relaxed, cocktail-style gathering with hors d’oeuvres and food stations designed to encourage mingling and conversation. The shift, organizers say, has helped broaden participation and make the event more accessible.
Beyond the fundraising, the gala also serves as a reminder of how much of the foundation’s work is driven by community involvement. Volunteers — many of whom remain engaged long after their children have graduated — continue to play a central role, alongside local businesses that contribute auction items and sponsorships.
That ongoing support is critical as the foundation looks ahead. As new families enter the school system, organizers are working to expand awareness and ensure that the organization’s efforts keep pace with the evolving needs of students and teachers.
Its mission remains unchanged: to give educators the freedom to bring new ideas into the classroom, and to offer students hands-on experiences that go beyond standard curriculums.
Community members interested in attending the gala are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, with early buyers eligible for a raffle incentive.
“Thanks to 35 years of different volunteers,” Mingorance said. “This is made possible by people who are selfless and serving, and they have volunteered their time for years.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit RVCEdFoundation.org.
