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Spellbinding Success: Harry Potter-themed gala raises $185,000 for Martin County students

PALM CITY, Fla./April 5, 2025 — More than 200 people stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter at this year’s Evening of Excellence | Bids for Kids event, which benefits Martin County students. Hosted by the Education Foundation of Martin County and presented by Morganti, this elegant gala fundraiser took place on Saturday, April 5, at Harbour Ridge Country Club.
 
The Harry Potter themed event, with decorations of Potter’s wizardry strewn throughout the room, raised $185,000 to assist the Education Foundation in enriching and enhancing the quality of education in Martin County’s public schools.
 
“This event is the place to be for those who support Martin County’s students,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “We couldn’t present this fun-filled affair without the support of our sponsors, bidders, auction donors and attendees. We are so grateful!”
 
With more than 500 silent auction items, it’s known as the largest of its kind on the Treasure Coast. Guests bid on items that included gift baskets, vacation getaways, spa treatments, golf packages, jewelry, artwork, fishing charters, and restaurant certificates as they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
 
Volunteer auctioneer Tom Melander conducted the live portion of the Bids for Kids auction as guests enjoyed dinner. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School, this year’s Teacher of the Year winner, encouraged attendees to raise their paddles high during the bidding process.
 
Joshua Perry the 2024 Teacher of the Year winner from Crystal Lake Elementary School, and Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County, handled the Call to Action bidding process, which raised money that is earmarked to support new teachers during their first few years of entering the profession.
 
Event sponsors were the Morganti Group, presenting sponsor; Hedrick Brothers Construction; Keiser University; Jeanine Webster, CFP & Mel Nobel - The Travel Guy; Gehring Group – A Risk Strategies Company; UDT; Paul Jacquin & Sons Construction; Proctor Construction; Harvard Jolly PBK; AT&T; Laviano & Associates – Real Estate Professionals; Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital; Tami Karol Insurance; Florida Power & Light Company;  Anthony D. George, Jr., P.A.; Florida Combined Life; Renaissance Learning; Napoli Orthodontics; WM (Waste Management); Food Shop, Inc.; Taryn & Kevin Kryzda; Beauchamp, Sang, Gonzales & Philpott, P.A.; PNC Bank; Fox McCluskey; Briana Lawson Foundation, The Hyde Group LLC; and SwissMango.
 
For information, about the Education Foundation of Martin County, visit the website, www.EducationFoundationMC.org or call the office at 772-600-8062.
 
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
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Education Foundation of Martin County plans magical celebration

PALM CITY, Fla./Feb. 28, 2025 — The wizardry of Harry Potter will be on full display at this year’s Evening of Excellence | Bids for Kids event, which benefits Martin County students. Hosted by the Education Foundation of Martin County and presented by Morganti, this elegant gala fundraiser will take place from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Harbour Ridge Country Club in Palm City and is expected to be a sell-out.
 
Tickets for this Harry Potter themed event are $250 per person (must be 21 and older to attend) and there are a limited number for sale. The event raises funds to assist the Education Foundation with enriching and enhancing the quality of education in Martin County’s public schools.
 
Stephen Sines, vice president of operations for Morganti, a longtime presenting sponsor, stated, “Morganti is proud to once again support the Foundation’s mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County and it is an honor to partner with the Foundation in making a lasting impact on local education."
 
An Evening of Excellence is known for having the most silent auction items of any nonprofit event on the Treasure Coast. Guests will have the opportunity to peruse and bid on more than 500 auction items that include gift baskets, vacation getaways, spa treatments, golf packages, jewelry, artwork, fishing charters, and restaurant certificates as they enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The Bids for Kids live auction will take place after guests feast on their choice of a surf and turf or vegetarian entrée, and then all will head to the dance floor. Raffle tickets for a wheelbarrow of liquor will also be on sale. All proceeds will go toward supporting educational enrichment programming for students.
 
Event sponsors are the Morganti Group, presenting sponsor; Keiser University; Hedrick Brothers Construction; Jeanine Webster & Mel Nobel; Paul Jacquin & Sons Construction; Gehring Group – A Risk Strategies Company; UDT; Proctor Construction; Harvard Jolly Architecture; AT&T; Laviano & Associates – Real Estate Professionals; Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital; Tami Karol Insurance; Florida Power & Light Company; Florida Combined Life; Anthony D. George, Jr., P.A.; Waste Management; Food Shop, Inc.; Taryn & Kevin Kryzda; Beauchamp, Sang, Gonzales & PhilPott, P.A.; PNC Bank; Fox McCluskey; and SwissMango.
 
For information, to buy tickets, or learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org or call the office at 772-600-8062.
 
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
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Harbour Ridge Charity Mah Jongg Tournament to benefit local students and teachers

PALM CITY, Fla./Jan. 20, 2025 — The Education Foundation of Martin County’s annual Mah Jongg tournament is so popular that it’s already sold out. Presented by Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, the charity event will be held on Friday, March 7, at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, 12600 Harbour Ridge Blvd. To be placed on a wait list, call the Foundation’s office at 772-600-8062.
 
The Mah Jongg tournament is held each year to support the many educational enrichment programs provided by the Education Foundation to benefit the students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. The theme of “Make a Hand and Give a Hand to Education” lets participants know they’re playing for a worthy cause while having fun at the same time. 
 
Check-in and a continental breakfast begin at 9 a.m. and morning play starts at 10:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Play will resume at 1:30 p.m. followed by an awards presentation.
 
During this daylong event, guests also may peruse and bid on items in a silent auction. Auction items include spa treatments, jewelry, gift baskets, restaurant gift cards and golf outings. 
 
Tournament Committee Chair and Education Foundation Board President Lois McGuire organizes the event each year.
 
“This is a fantastic way to support the students and teachers in our local schools,” said McGuire.
 
Sponsorships starting at $250 are still available for the Mah Jongg Tournament. For more information or to join Sandhill Cove, Northern Trust, Edwardine Tasco, Ann Vossekuil, and AT&T as an event sponsor, please call 772-600-8062 or visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org. 
 
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
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