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Wildwood School board members Layne Shea, Lauren Waldron and Vanessa Adam.
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Artist Isabella Garraffa generously gave her time and talent in creating a painting during the gala event that was then sold in the live auction.
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Paul and Sarah Sohn looking hip in the photo booth.
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Wildwood parents Adam and Lindsy Fortier.
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Third time’s a charm. Jessie and Nick Chimerakis with their newest addition, baby Claire.
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Wildwood School board members Allison Mangelsen and Lauren Russell.
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Katie and Hugh Marsh get into the “Into the Woods” theme.
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Photo booth operator and devoted dad Ross Daniels and Samantha Daniels.
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Flower crowned moms Kristin Dittmar Doremus, Alison Wente and Carlie Umbarger.
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Teachers just want to have fun. Several of Wildwood’s finest at the photobooth.
Wildwood School’s annual fundraiser took place Friday, April 5, at the Hotel Jerome. More than 140 guests took part in the springtime gala, supporting and celebrating the environmental education-focused preschool.
This year’s theme was “Into the Woods,” which was creatively interpreted by guests with how they dressed. Many wore woodsy apparel such as floral patterns while unique accouterments from flower crowns to birds’ nests added a bit of whimsy.
All enjoyed a cocktail reception, a buffet dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing. The most inspiring news of all from the evening was that the fundraising records weren’t just broken, but smashed with the online and live auctions raising over $55,000 and the whole event bringing in over $135,000.
“These kind of numbers are remarkable and so meaningful for Wildwood,” wrote Becky Helmus, the longtime director of the school, in a thank-you email following the event. “It was incredible to see the parents, community and local businesses support our unique and nonprofit school. All the funds raised go toward our daily operating costs and new this summer, a brand new-grow/vegetable dome that’s being installed at Wildwood, a great and fun learning tool for the children who attend the school now and those who will come in the future.”
Learn more about Wildwood online: http://www.wildwoodschool.org.