Get Ready the 2009 Gala Is Upon Us!

Hi folks, March 21st 2009 may sound like a long ways off but while you've been shopping for the holidays the Auction Team has been kicking into gear! We are trying something new this year, so check those backpacks because we put together an Auction Package which includes:

* Gala 2009 Invitation
* Gala Newsletter – new this year
* Donation Form
* Advertising Form
* Post a Personal Message in the Program – new this year
* Friends & Family Letter
* Raffle Flyer and Tickets

Please share with your families & friends, sell raffle tickets, brainstorm new ideas, ask for donations, regift those unwanted Christmas presents to the auction, and so on...

Class Basket & Project Preview - ONE DAY ONLY

It worked so well last year, that again this year we will have an early preview day of class projects/baskets. You will be able to catch a first glimpse at what our creative classes have pulled together! We typically have baskets, quilts, original works of art, projects and much more!

When: TBD
Where: MU Room
Time: 1:30-6pm

Absentee Bidder Forms (will be available on Preview day ONLY for class donations)

The way it works:
1) Fill out the Absentee Bidder Form completely with your highest possible bid (incomplete forms will be denied.)
2) The auction team will use your Absentee Bidder Form to try and purchase your selected item(s) for the lowest possible price, taking into account other bids.
3) If identical bids are left, the auction team will give precedence to the first one received.
4) All successful bids are subject to the terms and Auction Rules printed in the front of each program.
5) You will be notified the following week if you were a lucky winner! Arrangements will be made for you to pick up your item(s).

AIOD - it was crazy, busy and successful!

Parents, students, & staff:

If you remember at AIOD (All-in-One-Day), the Foundation asked for a suggested $100 donation per student. Some people chose to donate more and some people chose to donate less, we were happy and pleased with all that was received! As a matter of fact we had a significant increase in our AIOD total and we are happy to report we raised over:

$20,000 and still counting

We'll supply an official number when all the monies are in. It's never to late to donate, so if you forgot, ran out of checks, or didn't bring your credit card...we accept donations all year.

The Foundation has become an important cornerstone of the PHE school community and the services offered to our students. Our fund raisers bring in money to pay for classroom aides, computer lab instructor, and K-3rd PE instructors and MARE as well as other needs.

Big thanks to all the new families, parents, grandparents, & guardians for your generous contributions!!!!

SECRET 2008 GALA SURPRISE!

With the help and vision of PHE parent and award winning photographer Laura Cottril we pulled off a huge surprise! As parents entered the reception area they were greeted with a huge wall of gorgeous black and white photos of their children. The ooohs, ahhhs and a some tears said it all! A HUGE, HUGE thanks goes out to Laura for her amazing work and the kids for keeping the secret.

If you attended the Gala but there were no pics of your kids, it's probably because you bought your tickets late. Never fear you'll have another chance because Laura has agreed to do it again for the 2009 Gala. A little incentive to buy your tickets early!!!

LAURA COTTRIL PHOTOGRAPHY

2008 Gala Results

The results are in and we made over $40,000!!!!

This was a huge increase from 2007 which was just over $30k. A couple new factors that played a big role in our revenue increase:

• Black & White Photos of the Kids
• Fund a Need
• Cake Auction
• Instant Wine Cellar Raffle

Thanks to everyone for your help and making the Gala yet another success! Thanks to the Auction Team, Donors, Volunteers, PHE Parents, Staff, Sequoia Elementary, Staff, and all for your help creating and running this event. And, a huge thanks to Parents, Staff, Family and Friends of PHE that attend the auction and spent money! It's a credit to everyone that we were able to surpass last year by $10k!

Gala Schedule

Just a few quick announcements regarding the Spring Gala. Don't be late this year because Silent Auction Tables will close before dinner!!!

SCHEDULE
5:30pm - Doors Open
6:30pm - Silent tables begin closing every five minutes (new this year!)
7:30pm - Sit down for dinner
7:45pm - Live Auction begins
9:30pm - Check out opens
Midnight - Stay and dance until Midnight!

PROGRAMS
Programs will be delivered to your door before Saturday for your preview. The program is your ticket. Please don't forget your program at home.

TICKETS
Just a few tickets left! Contact Stacey Schiager at 938-6221 asap if you need a ticket. Let's sell those last remaining tickets so we have a full house. If you purchased tickets and can't use them for some reason, please give them to friends, family, teachers, PHE staff, neighbors, etc. Tickets CANNOT be bought at the door.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

A Taste of LIVE Auction

Here's your first look at what you can expect to see during the LIVE portion of the auction!

• Adult Basket of Fun!
• Back to Bourbon Street (see details below)
• Claremont Spa Package Getaway
• Family Camping Trip - Wacky Olympics Theme
• Girls Weekend Package (Embassy Two-Room Suite, Mani/Pedi's for 4, Havana's Gift Certificate)
• Hidden Valley Lake Front House (see details below)
• IMAGINE - original art work from Ms. Gableman's class
• Mayor for a Day
• Principal for a Day
• Red Adirondack Chairs, Ottomans, Table, Umbrella & Accessories
• St. Regis Hotel
• Tahoe Condo
• Wine Thieves Tasting Party
• 12 Live Lobsters Delivered to Your Door

Fun Events Coming Your Way

Welcome to all the fun with none of the planning or prep!!! We've got dinners, parties, events and who know's what. Check back often to see what's been added.

Back to Bourbon Street
Suck dem’ heads and pinch dos tails!. Join us for an authentic Cajun celebration and crawfish boil. You and seven of your closest friends will be transported to the French Quarter for a night of hurricanes, etouffee, beignets, zydeco and jazz. Laissez les Bon Temp Rouler!
Date: 6/28/08 Donor: Melissa and Steve Oldenbourg

SF Pub Crawl
Hit the local San Francisco pub's with old and new friends from PHE. Enjoy touring SF in an open top double-decker which will transport you pub to pub. This will be a sign-up event at the auction. You are welcome to buy as many spots as you would like. There will be 70 spots up for grabs. Date: TBD Donor: http://www.travelsf.com/

Margarita Party
Joe & Shelia's 4th annual margarita party is up for grabs one last time. This is the Stokley's last year at PHE and your last chance to enjoy this fun evening with them. You will be served the food of Mexico, listen to some music and of course drink margaritas.
Date: TBD Donor: Joe and Shelia Stokley

PHE folk like a good party!

Check out party pictures from the 2005's Stokley Annual Margarita Party, 2006's Hot, Hot, Hot! Caribbean Party for 10, and 2007's Ulitmate Bar Hop w/ Tapas and Infused Cocktails.

Parties are always big money makers! Get on the party band wagon, gather some friends and host your own!

Need some ideas...look no further!

• 50’s, 60's, 70's, 80's Parties,
  
• A Night in Casablanca, A Night at the Prom, Aloha to Summer, Beach Party
  
• Brew Pub Party, Carnival in Rio, Casino/Monte Carlo, Chef's Dinner
• Dancing through the Decades, Wine Country, The Enchanted Forest
  
• Space/Futuristic, Great Gatsby, Hawaiian/Tropical, Hollywood, Murder Mystery
  
• International (India, Mexican Fiesta, Asian), Jungle Safari
  
• Little Black Dress, The Lost Gold Mine, Mardi Gras, Martini Party
  
• Mystic Margarita Madness, My Big Fat Italian Dinner
  
• Phantom of the Opera, Picnic in the Park, Pleasure Party, Poker/Cigar Party
  
• Raiders of the Lost Ark, Renaissance/Medieval, Roman Toga
  
• Scrapbooking, Speakeasy, Sports, Summer in the Park, Summer of Love,
  
• Viva Las Vegas, Baby!
• and....who knows what else!

Love to do things with the kids? Host a kids party or outing!

• Campout party
• Pizza making party
• Soccer Party
• Princess Party
• Cupcake Party
• Hip Hop Dance Party
• Game Party

Just to name a few!!!

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

We have some specific areas we'd like to fill. Check out the list and see if there's anything you, a friend, relative or contact could donate or procure.

Travel/Leisure

• Skymiles/reward points
• Golf
• Timeshares
• Cabins
• Hotels
• Couple's Massage
• Sporting Events
• Car Rental
• Safari West
• Concerts

Home Services

• Dad's Club/handyman crew, home improvement
• Landscape/decorating
• Junk Hauler
• Supplies – lumber, molding, cabinets, plumbing, etc.
  

Personal Services

• Dog Training
• Housecleaning/organizing
• Organic Veggie Delivery
• Concierge for a Day
• Fantasy Five (lawn moed/car washed/dinner/pick up kids for school/windows/flower delivery/coffee/breakfast delivery, etc)
• Florist - flowers delivered (once, once a month)
• Dinners delivered/Personal Chef
  

Stain Glass Donation

Hand-made and donated by our principal Jennifer Voris. Look for this and a surprise stained glass from Mrs. Voris.

New this year...Advertising in the auction program

Advertise in the auction program this year either by being a donor or by making a donation. See Donor Rewards or for a bigger presence see Program Advertising. You can find the advertising form on the right hand side under Forms.

Donor Rewards - as a donor you automatically receiving the following recognition in the program!

Donor Level	Donation Value	Event Program Listing
Silver	< $499	Category Listing in Event Program
Gold	$500-999	Category Listing and Business Card Ad in Event Program
Platinum	$1000 >	Category Listing and Full Page Ad in Event Program, and Auctioneer to thank sponsor during event

Program Advertising - for a small donation create a big presence in the program!

• Increase your name recognition
• Fast, efficient way to demonstrate school support AND reach local families
• Inexpensive advertising

Level	Donation	Type of Listing
Option A	$50	Business Card Listing
Option B	$125	½ Page Ad
Option C	$200	Full Page Ad
Showcase A	$350	Inside Cover (Front) - One Listing Only
Showcase B	$350	Inside Cover (Back) - One Listing Only
Showcase C	$500	Back Cover – One Listing Only

* Donor must provide file with artwork. Contact Tara Campbell at taracampbell@comcast.net or call 933.6232 for more details.

*All advertising forms must be turned in by March 21, 2008 to Tara Campbell.

Wondering what's come in so far???

Great Getaways: Enjoy three nights and four days at this beautiful lake house. This gorgeous lake front home is located in the gated community of Hidden Valley Lake in Hidden Valley, only minutes away from Clear Lake and Calistoga. This modern home features a large master bedroom with views of the lake, and two addition large bedrooms as well as three full bathrooms. at a Lake House with friends. The ammennities are wonderful and include a modern kitchen, cable TV and music, a pool table and plenty of deck space to lounge about. There are lots of nearby activities such as golfing, hiking, fishing, wine tasting, bike riding, swimming, or you can choose to do nothing but relax!

Tickets/Kid Stuff: PH Music Studios (over $600 in offers), Golden Gate Fields, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Lawrence Hall of Science, deYoung Museum, Gilroy Gardens, Touchstone Climbing Gym (Concord), Disneyland Tickets...

Fun: Wine Country Limo Service for 6, Diablo Lanes, Grayson Golf Course, Embassy Suites (WC), Summerfield Suites (PH)...

Personal Services & Other: Professional Crown Molding Installed, Jazzercize, Pinkies Nail Salon, Walgreen's, Daphne's Greek Cafe, Orchard Nursery of Lafayette, Walnut Creek Honda, Professional Rose Pruning...

Classes: Zagone - memory end table; Scott - French gift basket; Ashlock - platter; Barden - photo quilt; Hotter - cooking school; Maffei - quilt

Parties: Flip Flops & Lemon Drops (ladies sign-up party), "Back to Bourbon Street" Dinner party for eight, Pot Sticker Party

PHE 4th ANNUAL SPRING GALA 2008

Welcome to what's happening with the 4th annual Spring Gala! A fun and exciting evening awaits you and will include gourmet dining, fantastic music and much more. Highlights of the evening will include both a silent auction and a live auction supporting important programs that enhance our kids' education at PHE.

DATE: Saturday, April 5th 2008
TIME: 5:30pm to Midnight
WHERE: Contra Costa Country Club, 801 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill
ATTIRE: Cocktail (no jeans allowed at country club)

Hey, this sounds great, how can I get involved?

1. Buy your tickets to the Gala early
2. Invite your friends and family to attend
3. Volunteer for a Committee
4. Donate your time, money or stuff for auction
5. Stay posted by checking the blog weekly
   
6. Go ahead; indulge yourself in a fun evening at the Gala and help make this year the most successful ever!