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Schools

Kingswood Academy Annual Benefit Sees Best-Ever Turnout

With more than 380 guests at Kingswood Academy's annual benefit dinner and silent auction, it was the best turnout ever.

held its Saturday at Ashton Place. The night consisted of dinner, a video presentation, a silent auction and a raffle.

With more than 380 guests, it was the benefit's biggest turnout ever. Kingswood's Advancement Director, Carrie Peters, ran the event. She anticipated the benefit would earn the school as much as, if not more than, last year's $80,000 total. Advantage National Bank Group and El Milagro sponsored the event.

Principle Lisa Grundon, in her ninth year at Kingswood, was the evening's speaker. She spoke of Kingswood's accomplishments, including winning the “Best of Darien” award for three years in a row and the recent changes made to the school.

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Thanks to its three year campaign, “Caring for Kingswood,” the school was able to raise almost $500,000 for facility repairs and other advancements. From these generous donations, Kingswood recently remodeled its auditorium and acquired a new computer lab for its students. Principle Grundon promised the school will continue to make improvements.

“We all really, truly care for this school,” she told the audience.

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Seventh- and eighth-graders helped host the event. They challenged the guests to “Beat the Clock.” Donation cards were left on all the tables and several times throughout the night, students announced that they would collect five donation cards from guests within the next minute. Those who participated got to take home the beautiful floral centerpieces.

Together, the auction and raffle consisted of more than 150 different items. Guests walked around the room bidding on vacations, gift baskets and more. Everything from private Pilates lessons to a night at a comedy club filled the gift baskets, with some prices starting as low as $10. Also available for bidding were hand-made items the students made themselves. The parents could even bid on afternoons for their children to spend with their favorite teachers.

The two big ticket items of the evening were vacations auctioned off live during the dinner. A member of the board of directors, Joe Bohne, won a trip to Mexico with a choice between four different resorts. The trip to the Swiss Chalet in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was won by Gina Tallud, whose cousin attends Kingswood. Tallud plans on taking the trip next year with 20 or so friends.

The benefit is Kingswood's biggest event of the year. Just like the years prior, it was a success. The proceeds go to financial aid and program development. Peters would like to thank everyone who was in attendance, as well as all families and business that made donations on behalf of Kingswood Academy.

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