A ‘hybrid’ Red & White Ball for 2021
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation’s annual Red & White Ball traditionally a one-night bash on Sonoma Plaza, is this year a hybrid affair, combining remote and in-person elements throughout the month of August.
Check out the online auction — with items including a Lodge at Sonoma getaway — that ends Sunday.
For its cornerstone fundraising event of the year, SVEF shifted to a virtual platform in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, and will largely keep the same format for this year’s event to best reflect current COVID safety recommendations.
“The generosity of our community at the Red & White Ball has been significant over the years, and we are hopeful that this year will be no different, particularly as the needs of our children and students are more amplified coming out of the pandemic and distance learning.” said Angela Ryan, executive director.
“Revenue generated at this year’s event will be directed to helping students recover from a tumultuous past year, by making possible preschool, afterschool and weekend programs,” she said. “With the support of our generous community, together we can help ensure our kids catch-up, recover and thrive this year.”
Beginning the first week of August, a series of communications and donation opportunities has been sent to SVEF supporters and the local community, during which time Red & White Ball sponsors are poised to match all donations up to $60,000, including some special ‘triple match’ days.
An online auction will run from August 23rd – 29th, featuring unique items including local and remote vacation getaways, exclusive wine and spirits tasting opportunities, private events featuring food and entertainment, and more. Individuals who make a gift of $250 or more before August 20th will receive a special Red & White Ball party bag, which they can pick up at a festive Pick-Up Party in the Plaza horseshoe on August 28 from 3pm – 5pm.
The Red & Wall Ball has historically benefited a wide array of student programming. On the heels of federal and state COVID funding being made available to the school district to bolster student resources during the school day, SVEF has an opportunity to creatively and strategically direct revenue to other areas where students have been impacted by the pandemic to ensure that there are programs and opportunities to help recapture “beyond the bell” learning and social-emotional development.
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation was established in 1993 and has since provided over $20 million dollars to Sonoma Valley public schools in the form of grants to teachers and administration, sponsored community initiatives and meaningful programming. It is the primary fundraising and volunteer resource for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. For more information, please visit https://www.svgreatschools.org
